1921] BARRETT, THE PAINTED LODGE OR CEREMONIAL TIPI. 85 



THE PAINTED LODGE OR CEREMONIAL TIPI 

 OF THE BLACKFOOT 



By S. a. Barrett"" 



In aboriginal times the average tipi of the Blackfoot, ranged in size 

 from eight to as many as twenty buffalo cow skins/' A small, eight-skin 

 tipi was designed for one or two persons. For a larger family, or for 



Fig. 47. — Tipi site. The circle of cobble stones marks the position 

 formerly occupied by a tipi. Note the fireplace stones in the center. 

 Blackfoot Reservation, Montana. 



ceremonial purposes, the average number of skins was fifteen to sixteen. 

 Such a tipi was about twenty to twenty-five feet in diameter. 



In former times, before the white man's axe and other similar imple- 

 ments came into use, pegs were not used in staking down a tipi. The 



"Director, Milwaukee Public Museum. 



"Bull hides were used particularly in makings parfleches, shields and other 

 articles where very heavy material was required. For clothing, moccasins, 

 lodge covers, and whenever lighter, more pliable material was needed that 

 of the cow was employed. Bags, pouches and other small articles were made 

 of calf skin. 



