Thursday, September 27, 2012

A Wide Range Of Tipis For Sale

By Patrice McCoy


A tipi began as a home for the Native American who lived on the Great Plains. They needed a shelter which was quick to erect and take down and easy to transport. This was because they led a nomadic lifestyle, following the buffalo. Today, there has been a revival of interest in the tipi from people who want to live a simpler life to those who have found other purposes for them such as meditation rooms and even playrooms for children. There are many different types and sizes of tipis for sale.

A tipi was originally used by Native Americans who lived on the Great Plains. They needed shelters which were quick to put up and take down and were easily transported as their lifestyle was nomadic. The tipi was a conical shape with an opening at the top for smoke to exit. This meant that, unlike a tent, a fire could be made inside it. Another difference from a tent was a liner for insulation.

The simple structure of the tipi meant that only a few basics were needed to construct one: some sapling poles, a cover of hides, a liner and a door. The poles made a framework which supported the cover. The main use of the liner was for insulation but it also helped with air circulation, creating an effect like a chimney which helped smoke out of the tipi.

One of the advantages of living in a tipi is that it can be adapted to suit the weather. It can be made cooler in hot weather by rolling up the cover and opening the smoke flaps. In winter, with the fire going inside and the liner providing insulation, it can be snug and warm.

These days many people are appreciative of the design and functionality of the tipi. People seeking an alternative lifestyle have gravitated towards them as an affordable, practical way to live. This enables them to experience an intimacy with nature and they do not mind sacrificing some of the conveniences of modern living for this simpler way of life. Other people appreciate them as a work of art, a reminder of the past, or even a place for meditating.

In manufacturing a tipi today, canvas is used instead of hides. Certain reinforcing and design variations may be made. For example, the liner and smoke flaps may offer better insulation. A tipi can vary considerably in size and some even have raised wooden floors for the sleeping area so bedding is protected from dirt, bugs and dampness. Others may have an option for using a wood stove.

Traditionally most of these shelters were not painted but they were decorated with bear claws, buckskin fringes and pendants. Today many are painted and the structures are often works of art, with appealing woodwork and designs.

Today a tipi may have many different uses. There are those who choose to live in them permanently and those who appreciate them for symbolic, spiritual or artistic reasons. Then there are those who just enjoy camping in them. Whatever the use, the variety of tipis for sale is testimony to the fact that there has been a resurgence of interest in them.




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