Wickiup Collection

Paviotso house at Walker Lake, c1924. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Paviotso house at Walker Lake, c1924. Paviotso woman sitting outside thatched hut with baskets, possibly for winnowing, in foreground

Apache Wickiup(?), c1903. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Apache Wickiup(?), c1903. Rounded structure made out of grass, with baskets in front

Pima ki (primitive home), Pima, Arizona], 1907, c1907. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Pima ki (primitive home), Pima, Arizona], 1907, c1907. Shows structure made of arrowbrush and earth, and woman seated by doorway

APACHE WARRIORS, c1873. Group of young Coyotero Apache warriors near Camp Apache, Arizona. Photograph by Timothy O Sullivan, c1873

A Native American medicine man, or shaman, concocting a pot of medicine to the accompaniment of the sacred rattle
SHAMAN, 19th CENTURY. A Native American medicine man, or shaman, concocting a pot of medicine to the accompaniment of the sacred rattle. Steel engraving, 1855, after Seth Eastman

NATI2D-00304
Apache village of wickiups reconstructed along the White River, Fort Apache Reservation, Arizona. Digital photograph

NATI2D-00522
Navajo wickiup, a summer shelter, Navajo Nation reservation, Canyon de Chelly, Arizona. Digital photograph

NATI2D-00521
Navajo wickiup, a summer shelter, Navajo Nation reservation, Canyon de Chelly, Arizona. Digital photograph

APACHE CAMP, 1882. Apache Native Americans in camp, one (right) wearing a partial military uniform, in the Arizona Territory. Photographed by A. Frank Randall, 1882

APACHE WICKIUP, c1903. An Apache wickiup dwelling. Photograph by Edward Curtis, c1903

APACHE CAMP, c1873. Group of Coyotero Apaches outside their wickiups near Camp Apache, Arizona. Photograph by Timothy O Sullivan, c1873

NAVAJO CAMP, 1873. Navajo Native Americans in camp in the southwestern United States, including a woman weaving at a loom. Photographed during the Wheeler Expedition by Timothy O Sullivan, 1873

Digital illustration of wickiup constructed of cluster of straight poles with partially covered interwoven framework

NATI2A-00175
Navajo family seated in front of their blanket loom, about 1900. Hand-colored halftone reproduction of a photograph

NATI2A-00193
Piman village in the desert southwest, 1800s. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

NATI2A-00078
Apache family in front of their wickiup, 1880s. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century photograph

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The Apache warriors stood tall and proud, their young faces filled with determination. In the year 1873, near Camp Apache in Arizona, they gathered together for a moment captured in time. Surrounding them were their humble abodes - wickiups, traditional dwellings of the Apache people. These structures provided shelter and protection for the Native Americans as they navigated through their daily lives. Constructed with a cluster of straight poles and interwoven framework, these wickiups showcased the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the Apache tribe. In 1882, another glimpse into an Apache camp revealed one warrior wearing a partial wickiup on his back. It was a testament to their nomadic lifestyle, always ready to move at a moment's notice. Fast forward to 1903 when Edward Curtis immortalized an Apache wickiup dwelling through his lens. The photograph depicted the simplicity yet functionality of these structures that blended harmoniously with nature. Outside Camp Apache in Arizona during that same era, groups of Coyotero Apaches could be seen congregating near their wickiups. These temporary homes served as gathering places where stories were shared and traditions preserved. Meanwhile, across southwestern United States in 1873, Navajo Native Americans also embraced this traditional form of housing within their camps. Wickiups became symbols of unity among different tribes who found solace under its protective roof. A digital illustration brought forth an artistic representation showcasing the intricate details woven into each pole and framework that formed these unique dwellings. It highlighted how craftsmanship played an integral role in creating spaces that offered both comfort and security. Lastly, we catch a glimpse into Native American spirituality as we witness a medicine man concocting potent potions accompanied by sacred rattles. Within these hallowed walls made from wood and natural materials lay ancient wisdom passed down through generations - secrets whispered only within the confines of those sacred spaces.