Wickiup
A wickiup is a dome-shaped dwelling traditionally used by various Indigenous peoples across the Great Basin and other regions in the American West and Southwest, including tribes such as the Apache, Paiute, Ute, Shoshone, Comanche, Arapaho, and Cheyenne. Constructed from a circular framework of bent poles tied together at the top, wickiups are typically covered with natural materials like brush, bark, animal skins, or earth. The term "wickiup" is believed to originate from Algonquian languages, where "Wikiyapi" translates to house or dwelling. This flexible structure served as a temporary residence for hunter-gatherers, allowing them to move from location to location in pursuit of food resources. Wickiups could accommodate one or several individuals and often featured an extended arched entry that provided a shaded area for relaxation during warmer days. When food supplies in the vicinity were depleted, these structures were generally left behind as communities relocated. The wickiup exemplifies the adaptability and resourcefulness of the Indigenous cultures that utilized them, showcasing their deep connection to the environment.
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Wickiup
- TRIBES AFFECTED: Apache; Paiute; Ute; Shoshone; Comanche; Arapaho; and Cheyenne; other Great Basin, Southwest, and Pacific Coast Indigenous nations
- SIGNIFICANCE: The wickiup, a dome-shaped structure, was widely used in the Great Basin culture area, as well as other areas in the West and Southwest
“Wickiup” is the popular name for a dome-shaped dwelling made of a circular framework of poles bent over and tied together at the top and covered with brush, bark, animal skins, or earth. The name appears to have origins in the Algonquian languages, where the word Wikiyapi can mean house, dwelling, or lodge.
The wickiup was used by the hunter-gatherers of the Great Basin culture area—the Apache, Ute, and Paiute in particular—as a temporary residence while moving from area to area in search of food. They were also used by many other Indigenous nations in the West and Southwest, such as the Shoshone, Comanche, Arapaho, and Cheyenne. This type of housing could accommodate one to several people.
In some cases, an elongated and arched entry, made of the same poles and brush as the domed portion of the structure, was added to form a shaded porch under which people could sit during the heat of the day while eating, talking, or sleeping. When local food supplies were used up, the wickiup was simply abandoned as people moved on to other areas.
Bibliography
Martin, Curtis. “Wickiups and Other Wooden Features.” Colorado Encyclopedia, coloradoencyclopedia.org/article/wickiups-and-other-wooden-features. Accessed 17 Nov. 2024.
“People & Culture / What Is A Wickiup?” California Trail Interpretive Center, www.californiatrailcenter.org/what-is-a-wickiup. Accessed 17 November 2024.
Seymour, Deni. “Geronimo’s Wickiup: Methological Considerations Regarding Mobile Group Hut Signatures.” International Journal of Historical Archaeology, vol. 17, no. 1, Mar. 2013, pp. 182–95. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=khh&AN=85386238&site=ehost-live. Accessed 17 November 2024.
“Wickiups: Sturdy but Temporary Structures.” Texas Beyond History, www.texasbeyondhistory.net/kids/houses/wickiups.html. Accessed 17 Nov. 2024.