Fieldnotes from the tent – a summary

Hospitality is a concept that bears some of the most persistent social, cultural and political questions. It has been approached across disciplines, and from many perspectives. It is a phenomenon that evolves from the provision of shelter, food and drink to theoretical questions and discussions of power, reality, social exchange/control and identity. Although it is thought of in very distinct ways, it is most widely defined as ‘the relationship between guest and host’ or the ‘act of being hospitable’ and specifically involves welcoming, and even entertaining, guests, visitors, or strangers.[1] It is in this wider sense that the jaima is thought of as the center of the Sahrawi community and society. Brought from the 27 de Febrero Refugee Camp in Algeria to Kassel’s inner city Karlsaue Park, this jaima, or tent, in particular became a hub for observing and questioning sociocultural expectations surrounding the hospitality encounter.