Our Garden Tepees are fantastic structures but how should we spell them.
We call them Tepees. Should we spell them with one e as in "Tepee" or with two e as in "Teepee"? Our hire company friends at Kåtachiefs call them tipis. Yet they take their name from Kåta. In this article we will try and get to the bottom of all this confusion.
The word thípi meaning dwelling comes from the Native American Lakota tribe located in what is no known as Iowa and the Dakotas. When adopted into English the word became tipi. The word tipi is used to describe a conical, portable structure with two adjustable smoke flaps. So technically our tepees should be spelled tipi. However, it is pronounced TEE-PEE hence the alternative spelling. As the English Language is full of complexities the word tipi can be spelled tepee or teepee. It just comes down to personal preference.
But where does Kåta come in as used by Kåtachiefs originate.
The original event tepees originate in Scandinavia. These tepees were not based upon the tipis or the Native American tribes but of the Kåta constructed by the Sami People of Northen Europe. These structures are very similar to the tipis from North America and consist of wooden poles in a conical shape covered in canvas.
Whether you spell it "tipi", "tepee", "teepee", or call them a "kåta", a Garden Tepee is an excellent addition to your garden.
If you interested in having your own Tepee in your Garden get in touch today at gardentipi@gmail.com or 01630 653 333