Ah-Tah-Thi-ki Seminole Museum

ORIGIN OF THE NAME

Chickee means "house" in the Creek and Mikasuki languages spoken by the Seminoles and Miccosukees. The Muskogean spelling for chickee is "chiki." However, Creeks, who speak the Muskogee language, use the term to describe only a summer house or open-sided residence typical of Florida. It is likely that the word chickee originally applied only to prefabricated houses and over time came to generically mean "house" among Hitchiti-speaking Creek Indians. When some Creek towns moved southward into Florida during the eighteenth century, they used the same word to describe lightly framed houses suitable for a semi-tropical climate. [from New World Encyclopedia]

NOT ALWAYS SO OPEN

While the Seminoles we've known in south Florida used chickees as homes throughout the last two centuries, their earlier, pre-Removal-Act homes, were of a more permanent style with walls, windows, and doors. They may have been similar to wattle and daub homes or even log cabins.

A NEW DESIGN

As the people fled south to avoid being captured and sent to reservations east of the Mississippi, they needed to be able to vacate camps quickly, the current style of mobile, open-air chickee emerged. Many have said, that although other indigenous peoples have made similar dwellings, the Seminole Indian technique is a superior design for the ecosystem in which they now live.

FAMILY HOMES

After the Second Seminole War, when they were able to remain in a settlement for a long period, the Seminoles perfected the architecture of the chickee to include a second level. This could serve as sleeping quarters or storage. Some had roof extensions on the sides to keep even more rain and sun out. The sturdy construction made these family dwellings safe and comfortable.

COOKING HOUSES

In camps and villages, there were often a main central chickee in which the cooking was done. A communal cook fire meant less chance of homes burning should the fire get out of control. It was in these cook chickees that the women would build the spoke wheel fire, and often created a platform for holding their pots, and in later years, metal barbeque racks allowed for meat grilling.

PLACES TO WORK

As tourism increased in South Florida, the Seminole Tribe found a market in the selling of their colorful handmade clothing and dolls. Many women used their chickee homes as workplaces by setting up their little sewing machines and cloth-cutting tables. The design of the chickee made it a versatile way to work and live in the outdoors subtropical climate.

SAME STURDY CONSTRUCTION

Today's chickees still use local wood and palm and palmetto fronds for thatch. Although modern tools, nails, wire, rope, and shovels make them easier to build and possibly more sturdy, the basic design has not changed. When used without the raised platform, or with it. The steep pitch of the roof, and the thickness of thatching keeps out rain.

CEREMONIAL GROUNDS

At the midpoint of the boardwalk are re-created ceremonial grounds. This area is reminiscent of traditional central village meeting places for political and religious events. At the center there is an open court, or plaza, for playing stickball or dancing. The ceremonial grounds contain several reproduction structures that demonstrate the variety of chickee design.

HUNTING CAMP

Near the end of the boardwalk there is a Hunting Camp, a depiction of the temporary camps set up by Seminoles during hunting season. The camp often features the pelts, plumes, and hides that were used and traded by the Seminoles. In the past, when hunters travelled to the uplands to hunt deer and wild turkey, they built these temporary shelters.

IN THE VILLAGE

A short distance from the ceremonial grounds is the Seminole Village. The village is a modern-day version of the Seminole tourist camps that were popular in the early to mid-20th century. Modern Seminole artists are often present and are more than happy to answer questions and demonstrate traditional arts and crafts. These crafts are also available for purchase. On certain days when weather permits, villagers may not be present to talk about the Seminole people and culture.

CHICKEES FOR EVERYONE

Due to the efficiency and visual charm of the Seminole chickee, they can be seen all over South Florida, from poolside cabanas to unique camping experiences. A well made chickee structure should last about ten years and needs to be re-thatched every five years. Seminole Tribal members make a living building custom chickees for both commercial and private interests.

CYPRESS SWAMP AND DOME

Historic home to the Seminoles and ecologically diverse, the wet cypress forest is host to an array of flora and fauna that can be seen as you enjoy a walk through the Everglades at the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum on the Big Cypress Reservation. The museum provides a one mile raised boardwalk, which winds through a beautiful 60-acre cypress dome. There are multiple opportunities along the boardwalk to rest, enjoy the scenery, and learn more about the Seminole culture. The boardwalk is open from 9:00am until 4:30pm. As it does circle a natural cypress dome, it may be closed due to inclement weather or other natural causes.

CHICKEES

CHICKEES TODAY