Pima ki

Description

The old-time round dwelling of the Pima tribes. In construction it was much the same as the earth lodge of the tribes of the northern plains, the chief difference lying in the fact that its top is practically flat and it is not provided with an opening for the escape of the smoke, as well as in the lack of an extended or built-out entrance way. The ki was usually about 15 feet in diameter. As the winter climate of southern Arizona is very mild, only a small fire was needed to keep the ki warm in even the coldest weather, the smoke from which became absorbed in part by the earthen roof, or escaped through the doorway.