Below are some pictures of "The Magic of the Tipi". A project done for the AAW Spirit of the SouthWest Exhibition. The tipi will on display at several gallery exhibits and will be available for purchase. This project was a challenge and took me several months of hard work to complete, but I am very happy with the result.
The magic of the tipi
By
Jorge salinas
THE SPIRIT OF THE SOUTHWEST AAW FINE WOODTURNING EXHIBITION
The tipi is a prime example of Native American resourcefulness and ingenuity, as they lived their unique nomadic life-style. That life-style demanded that the tipi structure be portable, easily erected, and able to withstand any weather conditions, including the gale winds of the plains. Tipis consist of several elements: a set of ten to twenty sapling poles, a canvas or hide cover, an optional inner canvas or skin lining, and a canvas or skin door. The basic tipi structure, during the height of the 19th century Plains Indian culture was constructed of from eight to twenty buffalo cow hides, each weighing approximately ten to twelve pounds. The average single family tipi was sixteen feet in diameter and would sleep three to four people allowing room for a fire pit, and other articles and equipment.
Tipis are distinguished from other tents by two crucial innovations: the opening at the top and the smoke flaps, which allow the dweller to cook and heat themselves with an open fire, and the lining that is primarily used in the winter, which insulates while providing a source of fresh air to fire and dwellers.
I have recreated the magic of the tipi from turned and carved Holly and bamboo and cherry poles. The form, including the smoke flaps and openings, are intended to resemble an authentic Native American tipi. The tipi rests on a Tiger Maple Burl “landscape”. On the interior ground of the tipi, I have recreated the traditional fire pit.
The word "tipi" comes into English from the Lakota language; the word thípi consists of two elements: the verb thí, meaning "to dwell," and a pluralizing enclitic (a suffix-like ending that marks the subject of the verb as plural), pi, and means "they dwell." In Lakota, formal verbs can be used as nouns, and this is the case with thípi which in practice just means "house." Other common spellings include ‘teepee’ and ‘tepee’.
Most tipis in a village would not be painted. Those that were, were typically painted in accordance with traditional tribal designs and often featured geometric portrayals of celestial bodies and animal designs. I used pyrography to burn traditional tribal designs onto the outside of the tipi as the final element to complete this piece.
Jorge Salinas
Tipis are distinguished from other tents by two crucial innovations: the opening at the top and the smoke flaps, which allow the dweller to cook and heat themselves with an open fire, and the lining that is primarily used in the winter, which insulates while providing a source of fresh air to fire and dwellers.
I have recreated the magic of the tipi from turned and carved Holly and bamboo and cherry poles. The form, including the smoke flaps and openings, are intended to resemble an authentic Native American tipi. The tipi rests on a Tiger Maple Burl “landscape”. On the interior ground of the tipi, I have recreated the traditional fire pit.
The word "tipi" comes into English from the Lakota language; the word thípi consists of two elements: the verb thí, meaning "to dwell," and a pluralizing enclitic (a suffix-like ending that marks the subject of the verb as plural), pi, and means "they dwell." In Lakota, formal verbs can be used as nouns, and this is the case with thípi which in practice just means "house." Other common spellings include ‘teepee’ and ‘tepee’.
Most tipis in a village would not be painted. Those that were, were typically painted in accordance with traditional tribal designs and often featured geometric portrayals of celestial bodies and animal designs. I used pyrography to burn traditional tribal designs onto the outside of the tipi as the final element to complete this piece.
Jorge Salinas