The history behind our Nordic tipis

The Sami kata and the Indian teepee are in principle the same solution for living close to nature. A simple cone-shaped frame of wooden poles was covered with animal hides, with an opening at the top to let out smoke. Very quickly the nomadic reindeer herding Sami people of northern Scandinavia had a wind-resistant and relatively sophisticated home that was easy to keep warm.

The principle was simple: the fire created warmth and the hides kept it in. The fire also provided light and a homely atmosphere. Cooking and smoking food, drying clothing and other household chores could be easily done inside.

Because the kata weighed little in relation to its size, it was the perfect solution for a nomadic lifestyle. The wooden frame was easy to make so it was left behind when the nomadic people moved on. In practice, they often returned to their earlier camps year after year, so the kata was set up quickly using the frame previously left there.