How to Make a Tipi

Enlarge Image Image Gallery With centuries of use, tipis are among the best, natural living spaces. ILLUSTRATION: MOTHER EARTH NEWS STAFF

For more than 400 years, knowledgeable people have agreed that the Plains Indian tipi is absolutely the finest of all movable shelters. To the Indian — whose concept of life and religion was broader, deeper, richer and infinitely more unified than that of his white conqueror — the tipi was much more: both home and church, a sacred place of being and sharing with family, friends, nature and Man-Above.

Unfortunately, the white man — with a fragmented and neatly compartmented view of existence — found the all-encompassing Indian way literally "beyond understanding" and, therefore, of no consequence. This high-handed and naive judgment extended, of course, to the lodges of the Plains Indians.

In the "either-or" white mind, the tipi was flimsy and primitive when compared to a solid, substantial frame building. The fact that a tipi was bright, open, airy, warm, dry and easily transported over (and, therefore, a part of) all outdoors while the frame structure was — and largely remains — closed in, dark, poorly ventilated and rather pathetically rooted to one spot was completely beside the point to this schizoid way of thinking.

Luckily, our "civilized" appraisal of the Indian way is now going through some changes and that more reverent life style is increasingly understood and embraced by the new gentle people. As one result of this trend, the tipi is enjoying a sudden popularity.

The tipi is not the final answer for everyone, of course (even the Plains Indians built other structures), but it remains — time, money and labor vs. comfort, utility and versatility — probably the world's most efficient shelter. If you've ever wanted one for camping, semi-permanent or even permanent living, here's how to make it happen...

How to Build a Tipi

There are two basic Plains Indian tipis: One uses three foundation poles and the other has four. Our plans are for the three-pole design which is simpler, stronger and — in general — superior to the four-pole model. The dimensions given here are largely taken from the Sioux tipi pattern presented by Reginald and Gladys Laubin in their University Of Oklahoma Press book, The Indian Tipi. 

Just to get it straight right in front, the Laubin book is the authoritive work on the Indian tipi and contains a wealth of information on the construction, tradition and lore of the tipi that you won't find here or anywhere else. We're going to give you detailed instructions on making, pitching and living in a tipi. But, if you really want to learn about this shelter, you've got to read The Indian Tipi. 

Selecting Tipi Poles

Indian tipis varied from slightly less than 10 feet in diameter, for hunting expeditions, to permanent lodges with a diameter of more than 30 feet. The larger structures naturally required more and longer poles than the smaller ones. We've compromised on a tent diameter of approximately 18-1/2 feet (roomy but easily transported by car) and — for this size — you'll need 17 poles about 25 feet long.