Teepee vs. Wigwam

By Jaxson

Main Difference

The main difference between Teepee and Wigwam is that the Teepee is a type of Native American tent and Wigwam is a a type of tent or dwelling used by Native Americans.

  • Teepee

    A tipi (also tepee or teepee) is a cone-shaped tent, traditionally made of animal skins upon wooden poles. A tipi is distinguished from other conical tents by the smoke flaps at the top of the structure. Historically, the tipi was used by Indigenous people of the Plains in the Great Plains and Canadian Prairies of North America, as well as by indigenous peoples of northern Europe and Asia under other names. Tipi lodges are still in use by these peoples, though now primarily for ceremonial purposes.

    Tipis are stereotypically and incorrectly associated with all Native Americans in the United States and Aboriginal people in Canada, despite their usage being unique to the peoples of the Plains. Native American tribes and First Nation band governments from other regions have used other types of dwellings. The tipi is durable, provides warmth and comfort in winter, is cool in the heat of summer, and is dry during heavy rains. Tipis can be disassembled and packed away quickly when people need to relocate and can be reconstructed quickly upon settling in a new area. Historically, this portability was important to Plains Indians with their at-times nomadic lifestyle.

  • Wigwam

    A wigwam, wickiup or wetu is a domed dwelling formerly used by certain Native American and First Nations tribes, and still used for ceremonial purposes. The term wickiup is generally used to label these kinds of dwellings in the Southwestern United States and Western United States, while wigwam is usually applied to these structures in the Northeastern United States and Canada. Wetu is the Wampanoag term for a wigwam dwelling. These terms can refer to many distinct types of Native American structures regardless of location or cultural group. The wigwam is not to be confused with the Native Plains tipi, which has a very different construction, structure, and use.

Wikipedia
  • Wigwam (noun)

    A dwelling having an arched framework overlaid with bark, hides, or mats, used by Native Americans in the northeastern United States.

  • Wigwam (noun)

    Any more or less similar dwelling used by indigenous people in other parts of the world.

  • Wigwam (verb)

    To dry (flax or straw) by standing it outside in the shape of a wigwam.

Wiktionary
  • Wigwam (noun)

    a dome-shaped hut or tent made by fastening mats, skins, or bark over a framework of poles (as used formerly by some North American Indian peoples).

  • Wigwam (noun)

    a pyramidal framework of poles used to support runner beans, sweet peas, and other climbing plants.

Oxford Dictionary

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