The Anatomy of a Teepee
The teepee was made by the Indians because they needed something durable to live in and something simple enough to move and carry during a migration through the plains and mountains. Teepees where constructed using 11 to 15 long pieces of sturdy wood and the hide of an animal such as an elk or buffalo. The teepee was designed so it had an opening at the top so the Indians could have fires in there teepees without suffocating and the opening also allowed fresh air into the teepee.
During the battle at the Bear Paw Battle Field the Indians had to modify how they used there tepee during the battle. During previous battles on their way to Canada the Nez Perce had to leave behind their tee pee poles because they were too heavy and slowed them down. Because of this inconvenience the Nez Perce had to lay the hides for their tepees over brush and shelter pits so the army would not see where their camp was. During the cold winter storm that blew in on the last night the tepees where very valuable due to the tough material it was made out of and it gave some of the Indians some warmth during the cold night. So tepees where very simple and mobile structures made by the Indians for traveling. They kept families warm during winter and were very important to in the Indian life.
To read more visit: http://www.indians.org/articles/indian-tepee.html |