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Tipis

The Cover

Made from canvas (see Materials) with reinforced pegloops and smokeflap-pole loops, and hand-stitched lacing pin holes. Supplied with pegs and lacing pins, door and door sticks

The Lining

An inner lining, between 3 and 6Ft in depth depending on the size of the tipi. This pegs right to the ground, and channels the air between the cover and lining, up and out the smoke-flaps, creating a good draw for the fire. Not essential for summer living but provides insulation and draft-proofing in hard weather. Made of canvas with a 1Ft(30cm) PVC skirt on the bottom. This prevents the canvas from resting on the ground where it is most susceptible to damp and fungus. Supplied with rope and pegs.

The Poles

Pine, Fir or Spruce trees depending on availability. All trees are sourced, cut, stripped and finished by hand to a beautiful finish. Supplied with a hemp anchor rope.

Tipi

Extras:

The Hat

A large square of canvas which, attached to its own pole, covers top of the tipi and prevents rain from entering. It is necessary to cut the “crown” to do this.

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A real experience

The Tipi
There really is no way to adequately describe the elemental beauty, simplicity and practicality of the tipi..
It is one of the few tents designed to house an open fire, and this quality alone stands it apart from other canvas structures. With the fire at the centre providing everything necessary for cooking and heating, all life within the tipi circles around this central focus, literally at ground level.
Its conical shape is perfect in design for the evacuation of the smoke inside, for its resistance to high winds, heavy rain and deep snowfall, and yet the sides can be rolled up in hot weather to allow air flow whilst providing shade. The simplicity of the structure means that it can be dismantled and re-erected in very little time.
Although geographically, the tipi is most associated with the Great Plains of America, similar structures can be found as far away as Siberia and Scandinavia, used today by tribes such as the Nenet, whose word for this dwelling is a chum. The factor in common here is the nomadic existence based on following the herd. While in the arctic, it is the reindeer that is followed and hunted, the nomadic tribes of North America moved across the vast expanse of prarie, dependant on the meat and skins of the buffalo for their survival.

Each family lived within the circle of the tipi, which had its place in the circle of lodges of the band and then the tribe. They moved with the cycles of the seasons, moons and migrations. The way of life was inherently spiritual, at one with the earth and all beings.

The direction of the smoke flaps can be changed according to the direction of the wind, allowing the smoke from the fire to exit freely. Tipis are easily moved to a new spot, and warm within minutes of lighting the fire, however cold it is outside...