Hogans
Welcome to the Native American
Press
for
Curator
Housing Museum
Museum Entrance
Longhouses
Cliff
Dwellings
Cliff Dwellings
Room 2
Museum
Entrance
Museum
Entrance
Longhouses
Room 3
Dine` Hogans
Museum
Entrance
Room 4
Apaches on Horseback
Apaches were a nomadic tribe, which means that they
travelled and did not typically stay anywhere permanently.
Apaches were hunters and followed small game such as
rabbits and deer. They constructed their houses out of
nearby materials. There are bushes and trees that could
have been gathered to build a wickiup. This is a prime
location to set up camp due to the water source.
I chose this picture, because it portrays the tribe as nomadic,
and the materials readily available for housing is apparent.
Image acquired at:
http://www.legendsofamerica.com/PicturePages/naapache1.html
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A Wickiup Under Construction
Bent branches form the framework of this Chiricahua
Apache dwelling. This dome structure will soon be covered
in grass or brush and tied in place with yucca by the women
of the tribe. Women are the builders of the wickiups. These
dwellings are waterproofed by covering the thatched grass
with animal skins.
I chose this picture, because the internal framework is
apparent, showcasing its beautiful-dome shape.
Image acquired at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Ribs_of_Apache_
wickiup.jpg
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Traditional Wickiup
In a matter of days, the wickiup is completed. Any
repairs need to be done will be completed by the women.
The wickiup has a hole in the middle to allow the smoke
to escape from a central fire. Pottery is stored outside the
wickiup. When it’s time to move on, the wickiup is
torched.
I chose this picture because it shows a completed
dwelling. I like the artistry of the earthen jars.
Image acquired at:
http://www.legendsofamerica.com/PicturePages/naapache5-wikiup.html
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Chiricahua Wickiup
A Chiricahua family sits in the entrance of their wickiup.
The family looks quite comfortable in their
environmentally-friendly and camouflaged structure.
This particular wickiup looks rather large. Most
wickiups have a circular base of about 8 feet and a height
of 5-6 feet.
I included this picture, because it reminded me of
something I read in New Worlds For All. A Micmac
chief asked French visitors in the 17th century, “Do we
not have in our dwelling all the conveniences and
advantages that you have in yours, such as reposing,
drinking, and sleeping, eating, and amusing ourselves
with friends?”
Image acquired at:
http://www.arikah.net/encyclopedia/images/3/3d/Chiri
cahua_medicine_man.jpg
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Cliff Palace
Cliff Palace is located at Mesa Verde National Park. It
has 217 rooms and 23 kivas (a place for ceremonies).
Cliff Palace was constructed by Ancient Puebloans.
They built apartment-like housing. Wooden ladders were
used to access the upper stories. As population
increased, they just built another room. At Mesa Verde
National Park, there are many other cliff-side apartment
dwellings.
Cliff Palace is incredible. To complete such a task
without the benefit of technology is astounding. Baskets
and yucca sandals have been found at Mesa Verde
National Park, giving some insight as to how the people
lived.
Image acquired at:
http://www.phototripusa.com/images/anasazi/anasazi_
05.html
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Keet Seel
The Hisatsinom built Keet Seel prior to Navajos
occupying the area in which Keet Seel is located. Even
though it is now on Navajo land, it is not a Navajo
structure. It is an Ancient Puebloan dwelling. The term
“Hisatsinom” replaces the term “Anasazi.” Anasazi is a
Navajo word which means “enemies of long ago.” Hopis
are descendants of the Anasazi. However, Hopis object
to the term Anasazi, because they never refer to someone
as their enemy.
I chose this picture because it provides a close-up view of
a cliff dwelling. If you ever visit Keet Seel, you will see
the toe holds that are imbedded in the rock that enabled
the Hisatsinom to climb up to their house.
Image acquired at:
http://www.phototripusa.com/images/anasazi/anasazi_
22.html
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Masonry Example
This is a section of a wall to a building at Chaco Canyon.
Sandstone, mortar and wooden beams were the three
primary construction materials. The Ancestral Puebloans
shaped each sandstone block using harder stones
collected from nearby river beds. The mortar between the
blocks is a mixture of soil, water, and ash. Tiny pieces of
stone are fitted in the mortar. This is called “chinking.”
Chinking stones fill in the gaps within the mortar and add
structural stability to the walls.
I chose this picture, because it gives a detailed view of
the construction of a typical Pueblo dwelling. Today, on
the Hopi reservation, traditional Hopi homes are built
using this method. Hopis are descended from Ancient
Puebloans. Hopis refer to their ancestors as Hisatsinom.
Image acquired at:
http://www.phototripusa.com/images/anasazi/anasazi_
16.html
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Montezuma’s Castle
Montezuma’s Castle is located near Camp Verde,
Arizona. It was mistakenly named after an Aztec
chieftain. However, this cliff dwelling was occupied by
Sinagua Indians 1100 – 1400, several years before
Christopher Columbus stepped foot on North America.
It was built inside a rock overhang 70 feet above Beaver
Creek. Montezuma’s Castle has 5 stories and 20 rooms.
Around 1400, this dwelling was abandoned for reasons
unknown.
I picked this picture, because Montezuma’s Castle is high
above the ground. Standing 70 feet below this high-rise
dwelling, one realizes how dangerous it was to go home
and leave home. How many people fell? What did they
do to mend broken bones? Did they have a way to hoist
game or water? Montezuma’s Castle is camouflaged
inside the cliff, which leads me to wonder, who or what
were they afraid of?
Image acquired at:
http://www.phototripusa.com/images/anasazi/anasazi_
26.html
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Longhouse Construction
Houses reflect the materials available. The northeast had
an abundance of trees. Therefore, tribes, such as the
Iroquois, constructed longhouses out of trees. Rows of
posts were put into holes dug into the ground. Wood is
bent to form a semi-circle frame. The Iroquois tied the
bent poles and posts together with long strips of bark.
I chose this picture because it shows the framework of a
longhouse. It shows bent wooden poles in the shape of a
semi-circle.
Image acquired at:
http://www.nysm.nysed.gov/IroquoisVillage/images/fi
gure1longhouselg.gif
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Bark Covered Longhouse
After the framework was put into place, the longhouse
was then covered with sheets of elm bark. Bark was
peeled from large trees. Then, it was flattened, and rocks
were placed on the bark to keep it from curling as it was
drying. Elm tree bark has deep grooves. The Iroquois
used these grooves to channel rain water. After the bark
was placed over the frame, small poles were placed on
the outside of the longhouse to keep the wind from
ripping off the bark.
I chose this picture because the bark and the outside
poles are visible. Furthermore, the picture shows how
tall a longhouse can be. Behind the longhouse, there are
lots of trees. The forests were an important part of their
culture. Deforestation by the colonists exhausted the
Iroquois’ building materials.
Image acquired at:
http://www.angelfire.com/mi4/polcrt/IroquoisIntro.ht
ml
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Longhouse Interior Lay-Out
The interior of a longhouse was divided into
compartments. One family would live in the
compartment on the left, and another family would live in
the compartment on the right. A fire burned in the
middle of the aisle. There could have been several fires
burning in the aisles at one time. The Iroquois put holes
in the roof to allow the smoke to escape. A piece of bark
was used to the hole so that the flap could be opened and
closed depending on the weather. A platform was added
to provide storage for corn, pots, or tobacco. The
framework poles provided drying racks for corn or fruit.
I chose this picture because it reproduces Iroquois life
inside the longhouse.
Image acquired at:
http://www.nysm.nysed.gov/IroquoisVillage/images/fi
gure3interiorlg.gif
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Inside a Longhouse
The Iroquois lead a communal life. Many families who
were of the same clan would share a longhouse. The
length of the longhouse depended on how many people
lived inside. Longhouses ranged from 30 feet to 220 feet.
European influences changed Iroquois housing. The
Iroquois started building single-family log cabins.
Communal living decreased, and the bonds between
Iroquois families weakened.
I chose this picture because it shows the openness of
Iroquois living. Today people live private lives. The ties
between members of the Iroquois community had to be
incredibly strong to live daily life under the scrutiny of
others. What if I had to live with my mom, dad, brother,
sister-in-law, sister, brother-in-law, aunts, uncles, nieces,
and nephews in a longhouse?
Image acquired at:
http://www.nativeamericans.com/Wigwams.htm
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Male Hogan
This is a picture of an early Navajo Hogan. This is called
a forked-stick hogan or male hogan. It is a cone-shaped
structure made out of packed mud. Male hogans were
built during the 1600’s and 1700’s. Navajos began
herding sheep. The introduction of sheep brought about a
lifestyle change. As they acquired more and more sheep,
Navajos accumulated more possessions. More
possessions meant that they needed a bigger hogan. So
they built a female hogan.
I chose this picture because it is rare to see a male hogan.
Today, male hogans are used for sweat lodges. The
female hogan is the place where the family eats and
sleeps. Also, the people outside the hogan indicate that
the hogan was a home regardless of his rudimentary
elements.
Image acquired at:
http://www.kstrom.net/isk/maps/houses/hogan.html
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Female Hogan
With the introduction of sheep and farming, Navajos
needed more space. They built a larger rounder dwelling.
This is called a female hogan. It is female because the
hogan resembles a flared skirt. Ceremonies are held in
hogans. A hogan is a large open room with a stove in the
middle. All movements made inside the hogan are
clockwise. Nails are not used. Door hinges used to be
constructed from the soles of shoes.
I chose this picture because it contrasts the male and
female hogan. On the Navajo reservation, these kinds of
hogans can still be seen. Even though they are not
usually inhabited on a long-term basis, Navajos still stay
in them when they are herding sheep.
Image acquired at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hogan
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Hexagonal Hogan
The building of the railroad brought new materials, such
as railroad ties. The railroad ties changed the hogan’s
shape – from round to hexagon. The doorway always
faces the east to welcome the morning sun. Because
Navajos are sheepherders, the women weave rugs with
intricate designs. A beautiful Navajo rug hangs in the
doorway of a hogan.
I chose this picture because it shows the changes of the
hogan over time. Technology brought changes to
housing structures. Also, the Navajo rug gives some
insight into their culture. Navajo rugs are popular today.
Rugs cost anywhere from hundreds of dollars to
thousands of dollars.
Image acquired at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hogan
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Modern Hogan
Hogans are an important part of the Navajo culture. On
the Navajo reservation, it is common to see hogans.
They are no longer built with railroad ties and mud, but
they still have retained their shape and their ceremonial
significance. Hogans have one room and are about 23
feet in diameter. If they are not occupied, they are used
for healing ceremonies. If you ever enter a hogan always
walk clockwise. Men sit on the south side, and women
sit on the north side. If someone of great importance
enters the hogan, he or she sits on the west side.
I chose this picture because after hundreds of years
Navajos still retain some of their culture, a culture that
Europeans attempted to stamp out. Plus, this is a
peaceful picture which symbolizes the tranquil nature of
the occupants of the hogan.
Image acquired at:
http://www.galenfrysinger.com/navajo_hogan_arizona
.htm
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Traditional Navajo Rug
This is the right half of a large pictorial-style rug, woven
in 1984 by Isabel John, a Navajo elder. She lives in
Many Farms, Arizona. She depicts in her weaving the 9 th
day of a Yeibeichai healing ceremony. Hogans are
visible in the foreground and background. People have
come for a ceremony that will take place in a hogan, or
perhaps, due to the amount of sheep, it is time for
butchering.
I chose this picture because of the artistry. It also depicts
Navajo life—sheep herding & butchering, ceremonies,
and family togetherness.
Image acquired at:
http://www.kstrom.net/isk/maps/houses/hogan.html
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Monica Modesitt
Recently, I moved from Tuba City, Arizona to Las Vegas, Nevada.
In Tuba City I taught 1st grade Navajo and Hopi 1st graders for several years.
Also, I worked with the Hopi Tribe to develop a Hopi Culture Curriculum for
grades K-6. Currently, I teach 4th grade at McMillan Elementary School.
While working on my museum, I listened to De-Has-De-Na, a song
by Sidney Poolheco who is a member of the Hopi tribe. The sound of his voice
calmed my nerves and enabled me to complete this project. This project
afforded me the opportunity to practice with technology before introducing it to
my students.
I learned that there is a rich pictorial history of Indigenous People,
and a picture adds a dimension that words couldn't account for. I was surprised
to learn that the introduction of the railroad brought design changes to the
hogan. I also learned that the Vikings lived in longhouses too. The media
basically portrays all Native Americans as feather-headdress wearing tipi
dwellers. This project shows the diversity of housing among the tribes, from
cliff dwelling to hogan to igloo to longhouse to tipi to wickiup to wigwam.
Completing this project has made me want to go back home to the reservation,
where in some places there is no electricity or running water and sand blows in
the cracks of the windows and coal has to be gathered for heat. Outsiders think
we're poor, and we live in squalor. But it is our home and we are rich with the
sound of the buffalo dance and the sound of the katsinas emerging from the
kiva. There definitely is a spirit of peace and tranquility, one that can only be
felt, never explained.
Monica Modesitt mjmodesitt@interact.ccsd.net
Note: Virtual museums were first introduced by educators at Keith Valley Middle School in Horsham,
Pennsylvania. This template was designed by Dr. Christy Keeler based on one of the sample virtual museums
provided by the Keith Valley staff at ISTE’s NECC 2005. Contact Dr. Keeler for more information on using
this template.
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