The Lakota Sioux were a nomadic people who roamed the area now known as North and South Dakota. They lived in buffalo hide teepees. These dwellings could be swiftly set up and taken down as they followed the buffalo across the plains.
These Lakota Sioux Miniatures are carefully handcrafted to represent this Native American Indian tribe. They are suitable for gentle play by children (except the campfire) or for display in your collection.
Much like the barn raisings of the pioneers, among the plains Indians, sewing a teepee was a community event. A Lakota woman would gather her friends together for a time of food, fellowship, and sewing. This miniature teepee is made of suede fabric to resemble buffalo hide.
The top of the teepee has smoke flaps carefully crafted to resemble the smoke flaps of an authentic Lakota teepee. On a real teepee, smoke flaps can be positioned different ways so that a fire can burn inside while there is a heavy rain outside or while there is wind coming from one direction or another. Like on a real teepee, the flaps on this miniature teepee can be put in various positions or even closed entirely.
The miniature teepee opens with velcro for ease of play or set up.
The Lakota and other plains Indians had inner linings on their teepees. These linings served two purposes — privacy and warmth. Because of the inner lining, a person’s shadow couldn’t be seen on the outside of the teepee at night. Some old accounts written by people who lived in teepees as children mention stuffing the inner lining with fabric scraps and such which gave the teepee its own sort of insulation.
In warm weather, the Lakota would leave the door to their teepee propped open. Sometimes they would even tie up the sides of their teepee cover so that the breeze would pass right through the teepee.
The blankets on the floor of the teepee are called buffalo robes. The Lakota made them from the hides of buffalo and used them for blankets and coats. The fur on the outside of the buffalo robes was perfect for warmth. The inside of the buffalo robe was perfect for art. The Lakota would often paint patterns, pictures of battles, or winter counts (read more about Sioux writting and winter counts here).
Fires were an important part of daily life for plains Indians. Fires gave warmth in the winter and provided cooked food all year around. Fires were most commonly built in the center of a teepee. They were often kept low because if they got out of hand, the whole teepee might burst into flames.
This miniature tepee is a great way to bring American history to life for yourself or your family. It can provide hours of educational play for children, and it would look beautiful on a shelf. It is a great way to teach and remember our American heritage.
Come and see more handcrafted miniatures inspired by the Sioux Indians on our Etsy shop…