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What Is a Jaima? How It Differs from a Pagoda Tent and a Bedouin Tent

5 days ago
4 min read

Updated: 1 day ago

A jaima — a pagoda-style tent — is built on a square floor plan with a four-pitch roof that rises to a central peak, using an aluminium or steel frame today and a PVC tarpaulin cover instead of the traditional fabrics. In the events and hospitality tent trade, jaima and pagoda tent are used almost as synonyms for this same structure. A Bedouin tent is different: it uses elastic (stretch) fabric and curved lines, giving it a very different look and a different assembly method.

Where the word jaima comes from

The jaima is the traditional tent of the nomadic peoples of North Africa, made from joined fabric panels and held up by one or more central poles. It served as a portable home, easy to pitch and strike with each move. Over time, the events-tent trade borrowed the name to describe a structure with the same pointed silhouette, even though the construction and materials now have nothing to do with the original tent.

What a jaima or pagoda tent is in the tent trade

When someone asks for a jaima or a pagoda tent today, they mean a square or rectangular tent with vertical walls and a four-pitch roof that rises to a central peak. The structure is usually modular, so several sections can be joined in a line to gain length without losing the roof shape.

  • A four-pitch roof with a central peak, with no centre poles to get in the way of the interior space

  • Straight walls, which makes it easy to place furniture, bars or staging flush against the sides

  • Modular structure: several modules can be linked together to cover longer spans

  • Roof and side covers in PVC tarpaulin, always made to measure for the structure

Jaima or pagoda tent versus a dual-pitch tent: the difference is in the roof

The dual-pitch tent has a roof with just two slopes running down from a straight ridge line, without the central peak typical of a jaima. Visually the result is different: the dual-pitch tent has a longer, simpler profile, while the jaima marks out each module with its own peak. In practical terms both do the same job of covering a space, and the choice usually comes down to the style you want and the shape of the available ground.

  1. If you prefer a roof with a clear peak on each module, a jaima or pagoda tent is the better fit

  2. If you want a continuous ridge line and a cleaner look, the dual-pitch tent is the option

  3. In both cases the cover and structure are made to measure, so the site itself has the final say

Jaima versus a stretch Bedouin tent

The Bedouin tent is built from an elastic fabric that is tensioned over a frame, giving it curved, flowing shapes very different from the straight lines of a jaima. The assembly also differs: with the Bedouin tent, the tension of the stretch fabric itself sets the final silhouette, while with the jaima it is the rigid structure that defines the shape and the tarpaulin simply covers it. They are two different looks for two different occasions: the jaima is more classic and functional, the Bedouin tent adds a more dramatic, stage-set feel.

Where each type of tent fits

The versatility of the jaima means it is used in all kinds of settings, from semi-permanent installations to one-off weekend events.

  • Bar and restaurant terraces, as a fixed or removable cover depending on the season

  • Beach bars and beachfront businesses that need shade and rain protection

  • Weddings and celebrations, where several linked modules form one continuous space for the reception

  • Trade fairs, markets and stands, where the modular structure adapts to different plot sizes

  • Large events and temporary builds that need to cover large areas in a short time

Linking several jaimas with gutters

One of the strengths of the jaima or pagoda tent is that several modules can be linked in a line using gutters between them, so rainwater is collected and drained away instead of getting in at the join. This covers one continuous area without losing watertightness, which is common as the number of modules grows for weddings, fairs or large events. The result still reads as a single tent, even though inside it is made up of several identical sections.

What to check before buying a jaima or pagoda tent

If you are considering buying a jaima, it is worth looking at the tarpaulin as closely as the structure, since much of the tent's working life depends on it.

  1. Check the weight of the PVC tarpaulin: 650 g/m2 fabrics are common for event use and frequent setups, while 850 g/m2 fabrics are kept for more demanding or permanent installations

  2. Ask for the fabric's fire certificate: a fabric with European T2 fire certificate (UNE-EN 15619), which should be supplied together with the material

  3. If you already have a structure and only need to renew the cover, ask about a replacement cover made to measure for your current fixing system

Where to see and order your jaima

If you would like to feel the tarpaulin before deciding, you can request the free PVC tarpaulin sample pack and compare weights and finishes for yourself. And if you already know the measurements or the use you have in mind, go to the jaima section to see the range of structures available, or contact us to ask any questions and request a no-obligation quote.

Real project: PVC grandstand roofs and 288 tent side walls, made in Málaga for a major motorsport event in Madrid. See the project

 
 
 

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