Tule Mat Longhouse
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From: Oregon Indians: Culture, History and
Current Affairs, 1983, Oregon Historical Society Press.
The longhouse, typically made with tule (bulrush) mats in the Columbia
Plateau area, was the preferred housing structure of the Cayuse
and nearby tribes. Interlocking poles of lodgepole pine formed a
strong frame for the house. Two poles, stretched horizontally across
the top, formed a ridgeline for the lodge and added further stability.
The next step was to cover the entire structure with tule mats.
The lodges were warm in the winter and cool in the summer. In wet
weather, tules swelled with moisture not allowing rain to leak through.
In dry warm weather, the tules shrank allowing air to move through
structure, cooling it. Dirt piled along the bottom gave more insulation.
Several families lived in one longhouse, so there were entrances
all along the sides. Each family had an area in the longhouse, typically
their fireplaces were set eight to ten feet apart.
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Last modified on:
January 31, 2004
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