Post by awanita62 on Oct 9, 2014 12:04:18 GMT -6
Our next type of Native American dwelling is a mixture of dwellings that have evolved though out the course of Native American history. The wigwam is a circular dwelling similar to the tipi and the quiggly, its frame takes on the characteristics of the long house and tipi. The siding also is very similar to the long house. The wigwam has two names Native American cultures of the northeast call this structure a wigwam, while the Native American cultures of the southwest and west call the structure a wickiup but basically they are the same type of dwelling. The siding was made from whatever was available in the area, it could consist of tree bark, heavy grass, skins and hides, cane, water reeds, brush or small limbs and branches. Even though the wigwam favors the tipi it was/is not portable it was used as a stationary seasonal dwelling.
Putting together a wigwam involves several steps first young green sapling of wood are cut twelve to fifteen feet long. A circle is drawn in the ground and a digging stick is then used to dig the holes twelve to sixteen inches apart to drop the saplings into, then dirt or clay mud is packed into the hole to anchor the saplings. They were then stretched by bending them just as in building the roof of the long house but unlike the long house the wigwam’s walls are the roof. Once they are bent into the middle of the circle they are then tied with strips of leather to create the doom. In the southwest the Native American tribes used strips of the yucca plant because the skins are very strong. After the vertical saplings are finished, saplings are laid twelve inches apart horizontally to give the wigwam more stability. After all the saplings are tied together the siding is put on, leaving an opening for the smoke hole. The smoke hole is located in the center of the wigwam and a cooking hook hangs from the ceiling over the fire pit.
With the wigwam we see something different that we haven’t seen with the other Native American dwellings. The wigwam has a door which consisted of an animal hide hanging from a cross beam affixed to the top of the door opening. Also the wigwam’s door may face any direction. The wigwam is a very comfortable, sturdy dwelling and because it is interwoven into a dome it can withstand most any harsh weather.
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Putting together a wigwam involves several steps first young green sapling of wood are cut twelve to fifteen feet long. A circle is drawn in the ground and a digging stick is then used to dig the holes twelve to sixteen inches apart to drop the saplings into, then dirt or clay mud is packed into the hole to anchor the saplings. They were then stretched by bending them just as in building the roof of the long house but unlike the long house the wigwam’s walls are the roof. Once they are bent into the middle of the circle they are then tied with strips of leather to create the doom. In the southwest the Native American tribes used strips of the yucca plant because the skins are very strong. After the vertical saplings are finished, saplings are laid twelve inches apart horizontally to give the wigwam more stability. After all the saplings are tied together the siding is put on, leaving an opening for the smoke hole. The smoke hole is located in the center of the wigwam and a cooking hook hangs from the ceiling over the fire pit.
With the wigwam we see something different that we haven’t seen with the other Native American dwellings. The wigwam has a door which consisted of an animal hide hanging from a cross beam affixed to the top of the door opening. Also the wigwam’s door may face any direction. The wigwam is a very comfortable, sturdy dwelling and because it is interwoven into a dome it can withstand most any harsh weather.
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