Though the term "nomad" rings with adventure, pre-Columbian Indians were nomadic by circumstance, and not by choice - harsh, subsistence level living that meant following not only game, but whatever wild plant might be edible at the time. Cabeza de Vaca describes his encounters with American Indians who lived on nothing but prickly pears and roots for months at a time, only to migrate elsewhere to do the same. In short, they starved most of the time. Their tiny lodges were transported on foot, and when their dogs did not become dinner, they were employed to pull the load on a travois - the larger ones being able to pull up to about 75 pounds. Then, the typical lodge was deer or buffalo hide, and never much larger than 8 to 14 feet across, and had very few poles in an effort to economize on weight.
The Spanish horse changed all that. From about 1541 on, horses spread across the Americas, extending the territory of the Indian, and allowing tribes greater access to one another. Game became a larger part of their diet as well, and the whole culture changed as a result. The tipis grew as well - the average size of the Tipi footprint nearly doubled to 25 feet in diameter, stood about 15 feet tall, housing up to 10 family members.
Though most North American natives had a tipi of some sort, the apex of tipi art design rests with the Plains Indians. A spectacularly beautiful shape that provided warmth in the winter, and protection from the sun and wind in the summer. As they aged, the buffalo hide shell took on an almost translucent appearance that glowed from the fire within on a cold winter's night. This shell consisted of 12 or more buffalo hides sewn together with sinew. The hides went through a gamut of curing processes that made them water resistant, flexible and soft, even after getting wet. After sewing the pieces together, the Tipi was erected smoked with a smudge fire from the inside. After it was cured, the whole thing was turned inside out and smoked again. This shell was supported by a skeleton of about 18 or 20 cedar or pine poles, and the whole thing weighed in at a whopping 585 pounds (average), requiring up to 3 horses for transport. Despite their weight and bulk, this remarkably versatile shelter could be erected in about an hour. Traditionally, the tribal women owned both the Tipis and the transport horses, and were responsible for all transport and set up.
Typically, the shape was a tilted cone, with the door facing the rising sun - the back being steeper than the front to brace against the westerly winds. A tripod was erected, and the shell was attached to a "lifting pole" and put into place, where it was easily unfolded and wrapped around the framework. The vertical seam was then pinned together with wooden pegs and the door flap attached. Additional poles were used to then to adjust the smoke flaps for wind direction or bad weather. The bottom edges could also be controlled - rolled up in warm weather for ventilation, or sealed tight to the ground with sod, stones, wooden pegs or blocks of snow. As all but the stones were transported, it is still possible to find "tipi rings" on the prairie of the American west.
Hide liners were typical as well, often painted with religious images or those of war exploits. In the winter, this liner was stuffed full of grass for insulation - combined with a small fire, this provided a safe haven even with the unforgiving winds of the plains.
Stone tipi rings like this can still be found thoughout
much of the American west
Unfortunately, a buffalo hide tipi only lasted about 2 years, and as the herds disappeared, so did the classic hide tipi. Government issued canvas proved to be a sturdy, pliable, rugged and lightweight alternative. A classic era is gone, but the beauty and efficiency of an ancient design still enchants us and has a place in the modern nomad's world.