Jake Harper
The Chickee, a structure used by the Seminole Indians, was a fast, disposable shelter built with cypress logs and palm thatch leaves woven together by vines or thin ropes. The structure was raised several feet above the ground on a wooden platform and supported by thick posts with a flat roof. The open-sided Chickee was perfect for the hot, swampy climate of Florida, providing relief from the tropical climate and protection from flooding and animals.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | "House" in the Creek and Mikasuki languages spoken by the Seminoles and Miccosukees |
| Construction | Thick posts, flat roof, flat wooden platform raised several feet above the ground |
| Materials | Wood, palm, palmetto fronds, cypress logs, palm thatch leaves, vines, thin ropes, hide tarps, canvas curtains |
| Features | No walls, open-sided, slanted roof, two stories (sometimes) |
| Purpose | Sleeping, storage, cooking, eating, communal gathering, tourism, commercial use |
| Lifespan | Approximately 10 years with re-thatching required every 5 years |
Explore related products
$12.25 $14.95
What You'll Learn
- Chickees were made of logs, including cypress, and palm thatch leaves
- They were raised several feet off the ground to prevent flooding and animal invasions
- The open-sided structures had no walls, only a thatched roof
- They were designed to be structurally stable during hurricanes
- Chickees were used for cooking, sleeping, and eating
Chickees were made of logs, including cypress, and palm thatch leaves
The word "chickee" means "house" in the Creek and Mikasuki languages spoken by the Seminoles and Miccosukees. The Creeks use the term to describe a summer house or open-sided residence, while the Seminoles use it to refer to an elevated house constructed of logs, including cypress, and palm thatch leaves. Chickees were built as temporary shelters by the Seminoles during the early 19th-century wars with the US government as they fled from US troops. The Seminoles' more traditional houses were no longer viable, as they were too stationary and equipped with walls and sleeping quarters.
The chickee was constructed with cypress logs and palm thatch leaves woven together by vines or thin ropes. It had no walls, only a thatched roof that covered the area around the upward-standing cypress logs submerged shallowly into the earth. The bottom floor was about 3 feet off the ground for protection from flooding and animals, and the roof was slanted. During rainy weather, the Seminoles kept dry by lashing hide tarps to the frame, but the structure was usually left open.
Over time, the Seminoles perfected their housing by adding another level to their chickees, making them two stories high with living quarters. The chickee style of architecture, with its palmetto thatch over a bald cypress log frame, was adopted by the Seminoles during the Second (1835–1842) and Third (1855–1858) Seminole Wars as US troops pushed them deeper into the Everglades. Chickees were used for cooking, sleeping, and eating, and they could be quickly erected and dismantled, making them ideal for the Seminoles' nomadic lifestyle during this period.
Today, chickees can still be seen all over South Florida, from poolside cabanas to unique camping locations. They are built by members of the Seminole Tribe, who make a living constructing these structures for commercial and private interests. The modern chickee serves as a reminder of the historical significance it played in the 1830s and 1840s, providing a strong connection to the past for the Seminoles.
Sexing Chickens: Upside-Down Method
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![Palmetto [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61oFNFtok9L._AC_UL320_.jpg)
They were raised several feet off the ground to prevent flooding and animal invasions
The Chickee, a structure built by the Seminoles, was a fast, disposable shelter used during the constant fleeing from U.S. troops in the 1800s. The Chickee was constructed with cypress logs and palm thatch leaves woven together by vines or thin ropes. The structure had no walls, only a thatched roof that covered the area around the upward-standing cypress logs submerged shallowly into the ground. The floor of the structure was about 3 feet off the ground to protect from flooding and animal invasions.
The Chickee was a perfect dwelling for the Seminoles in the hot, swampy climate of Florida. The long posts prevented the home from sinking into the marsh, and the raised floor prevented swamp animals, such as snakes, from entering the house. The temperature beneath a Chickee is about 10 to 15 degrees cooler than the outside air, providing natural cooling in the tropical climate. The open sides of the structure also made it more structurally stable during hurricanes as the wind would blow through them.
The Seminoles would use hide tarps to keep dry during the rain, lashing them to the frame. At other times, the structure was left open. The Chickee was also used for communal cooking, with a central cook fire that reduced the risk of homes burning if the fire got out of control. The women of the tribe would also use the Chickee as a workplace, setting up their sewing machines and cloth-cutting tables to sell colourful handmade clothing and dolls to tourists.
The Chickee structure has endured and evolved over time, with modern Chickees featuring two stories and living quarters. Today, Chickees can be found all over South Florida, serving as poolside cabanas and unique camping locations.
Clinton Kane's Chicken Tendies: A Musical Mystery
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The open-sided structures had no walls, only a thatched roof
The chickee was a home used predominantly by the Seminole Indians in Florida. The name derives from the Creek and Mikasuki languages, where it translates to "house". The structure was designed to be quick to assemble and disposable, as the Seminoles were frequently on the move to evade U.S. troops.
The chickee was constructed with cypress logs and palm thatch leaves, woven together with vines or thin ropes. The structure had no walls, only a thatched roof that covered the upward-standing logs, which were submerged shallowly into the earth. The floor was raised about three feet off the ground to protect against flooding and animals. The open sides of the structure made it more stable during hurricanes, as the wind could blow through, and the temperature underneath was about 10 to 15 degrees cooler than the outside air, providing a respite from the hot, swampy climate.
When it rained, the Seminoles would lash hide tarps to the frame to keep dry, or they would hang canvas curtains to keep out the rain and cold weather. The canvas curtains could also be rolled up and hung from the rafters when not in use. The Seminoles would hang many things from the rafters, such as cooking utensils and baby swings. The chickee provided a safe space for women to work during the day and allowed for communal cooking, reducing the risk of fires spreading to homes.
The Seminoles perfected their housing over time, adding another level to their chickees to create living quarters. Today, chickees can still be seen all over South Florida, and several Seminole Tribal members make a living by building custom chickees for commercial and private interests.
Discovering a Chicken's Age: Tips and Tricks
You may want to see also
Explore related products
They were designed to be structurally stable during hurricanes
The Chickee, a home predominantly used by the Seminole Indians in Florida, was designed to be structurally stable during hurricanes. The word "Chickee" translates to "house" in the Creek and Mikasuki languages spoken by the Seminoles. The structure was made of thick posts of cypress logs that supported a flat roof and a flat wooden platform raised several feet above the ground. The elevation of the platform served as protection from flooding and animals.
The Chickee's open design, without walls, allowed wind to pass through, reducing the impact of hurricanes. This open-sided structure, covered with woven palm thatch or palmetto fronds, provided shade and shelter from the rain while allowing airflow to keep the interior cool in the hot, swampy climate. The Seminoles adapted their housing to their environment, recognising the need for a quick, disposable shelter that could be easily assembled and dismantled as they frequently relocated to evade US troops.
The Chickee's sturdiness and stability during hurricanes and harsh weather conditions ensured the Seminoles' safety and comfort. The structural design, with its raised platform and sturdy posts, prevented the home from sinking into the marshland and provided protection from swamp animals. The open sides allowed for ventilation and temperature regulation, creating a cooler environment compared to the outside air.
The Seminoles' ability to adapt their housing to their environment and the structural stability of the Chickee during hurricanes contributed to the longevity and widespread adoption of this architectural style. The Chickee's design not only provided shelter but also facilitated the Seminoles' survival and resilience in their constant state of fleeing and relocation. The structure's durability and ease of construction ensured its continued use and integration into the Seminoles' way of life.
Today, Chickees are still constructed by the Seminoles and can be found throughout South Florida, serving as a reminder of the historical significance of this unique architecture.
Unpacking Chicken: What's the Process Called?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Chickees were used for cooking, sleeping, and eating
The word "Chickee" translates to "house" in the Creek and Mikasuki languages spoken by the Seminoles and Miccosukees. The Creeks, however, only use the term to describe a summer or open-sided residence. Chickees were primarily used by the Seminole Indians as homes in Florida, and they were constructed with cypress logs and palm thatch leaves woven together by vines or thin ropes. They were built with a raised floor to protect from flooding and animals, and the roof was slanted to protect from rain and cold weather. The Seminole would keep dry by lashing hide tarps to the frame when it rained, but the structure was usually left open. Chickees were also used for cooking, sleeping, and eating. In camps and villages, there was often a main central chickee where cooking was done. Communal cooking meant less chance of homes burning if the fire got out of control. Women would build a spoke-wheel fire and create a platform for holding pots, and later metal barbecue racks allowed for meat grilling. Chickees also served as places of work, where women set up their sewing machines and cloth-cutting tables to make colourful handmade clothing and dolls for tourists.
The chickee structure is well-suited to the hot, swampy climate of Florida. The long posts prevent the home from sinking into the marsh, and the floor prevents swamp animals, such as snakes, from invading the house. The temperature beneath a chickee is about 10 to 15 degrees cooler than the outside air, providing natural air conditioning.
The Seminoles adopted the chickee style of architecture during the Second (1835–1842) and Third (1855–1858) Seminole Wars as they were forced to flee from US troops. They needed a quick, easy-to-assemble, disposable shelter while frequently moving to different camps. Over time, the Seminoles improved their housing by adding a second level with living quarters. Chickees typically last about ten years and need to be re-thatched every five years.
Today, chickees are no longer used for housing but can be found all over South Florida, from poolside cabanas to unique camping locations. They serve as a reminder of the historical significance the structure played in the 1800s.
Meat Portions for Dogs: Beef and Chicken Weights
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Chickee, or "house" in the Creek and Mikasuki languages, is a shelter supported by posts, with a raised floor, a thatched roof, and open sides.
Chickees were made of wood, palm, palmetto fronds, and cypress logs.
Chickees were used by the Seminole Indians as temporary shelters while fleeing from U.S. troops during the Seminole Wars.
