How Was A Plains Indian Tipi Constructed?
The tipi, sturdy enough to withstand gale-force winds, was so east to assemble that two women could erect it within an hour. The tipi was basically a cover made of dressed buffalo hides that were stitched together with sinew and stretched over a framework of poles. Most tribes used a tripod of especially strong poles for the main support. These primary supports were tied together at the top and raised. Then all but one of the remaining poles were leaned against them, tied in place and, in windy weather, anchored to a single peg in the ground within the tipi. The frame was not a true cone, but was slightly tilted. When the poles were in place, the folded hide cover was fastened to a stout lifting pole and hoisted into position. It was relatively easy at this point to unfold the cover around the poles, peg the bottom edge down, close the vertical seam with wooden pins and attach the door flap. Finally two light poles outside the tipi were inserted in the pockets of the smoke flaps.
