The wickiup was constructed of tall saplings driven into the ground, bent over, and tied together near the top. This dome-shaped framework was covered with large overlapping mats of woven rushes or of bark that were tied to the saplings.

Who built wickiups?

The class learned that Apaches and other primarily nomadic tribes built wickiups for shelter by using any type of sapling (about 3-4” in diameter) and sinew or leather to lash the pieces together.

Who lived in wickiup?

The Wickiup was generally used as a shelter by some of the nomadic Native Indian Tribes who inhabited the Southwest and the Great Basin region. The names of the tribes who lived in the Wickiup style shelter included the southern Apache, and the Great Basin Paiute, Washoe, Goshute and Bannock.