Teepee:
Plain Indians were typically a nomadic type of Native Americans, therefore they
migrated often. Teepees appealed to them because they allowed for swift cleanup
and could be set up and taken down very easily.
Teepees are essentially a conical tent with a frame of wood covered by animal hides.
The animal hides were commonly buffalo hide. In their first years of usage,
teepees were approximately 12 feet high, but as advancements such as the taming
of horses came about, Native Americans could build them much
larger.
Grass Homes:
While at first glance grass homes may appear to be similar to that of a wigwam, they
are actually a unique style of shelter developed by Plain Indians such as the
Caddos. Grass houses are similar in construction to teepees, but usually are
much larger. Some stretched up to 40 feet! Grass houses had a wooden frame,
but instead of a hide covering, they used prairie grass. One of the
disadvantages to grass homes is their poor insulation. The grass covering made
it easy for the cold to get in and for the hot to get out. As a result, grass
homes were more commonly found in more warm climates, such as down
South.
Final Notes:
While both types of shelters were used, teepees were more common. They were very easy
to setup, and because they were made of hide, they were easy to insulate. This
made them a very inexpensive and convenient form of shelter. Grass homes
appealed to the non-nomadic Plain Indians, mainly a minority. They were
permanent and little could be salvaged of them if one wished to move to a new
area.
Plain Indians were typically a nomadic type of Native Americans, therefore they
migrated often. Teepees appealed to them because they allowed for swift cleanup
and could be set up and taken down very easily.
Teepees are essentially a conical tent with a frame of wood covered by animal hides.
The animal hides were commonly buffalo hide. In their first years of usage,
teepees were approximately 12 feet high, but as advancements such as the taming
of horses came about, Native Americans could build them much
larger.
Grass Homes:
While at first glance grass homes may appear to be similar to that of a wigwam, they
are actually a unique style of shelter developed by Plain Indians such as the
Caddos. Grass houses are similar in construction to teepees, but usually are
much larger. Some stretched up to 40 feet! Grass houses had a wooden frame,
but instead of a hide covering, they used prairie grass. One of the
disadvantages to grass homes is their poor insulation. The grass covering made
it easy for the cold to get in and for the hot to get out. As a result, grass
homes were more commonly found in more warm climates, such as down
South.
Final Notes:
While both types of shelters were used, teepees were more common. They were very easy
to setup, and because they were made of hide, they were easy to insulate. This
made them a very inexpensive and convenient form of shelter. Grass homes
appealed to the non-nomadic Plain Indians, mainly a minority. They were
permanent and little could be salvaged of them if one wished to move to a new
area.