Yehakin
Traditional Native American longhouse
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A yehakin (also spelled yihakan, meaning "house" in the Powhatan language) is a dwelling that was traditionally used by the Powhatan and Pamunkey Native American tribes of Virginia. It is a type of longhouse constructed from wooden frames and covered with reed mats or bark, forming a rounded roof. The 17th-century historian William Strachey thought since bark was harder to acquire, families of higher status likely owned the bark-covered houses. In summer, when the heat and humidity increased, the people could roll up or remove the mat walls for better air circulation.[1] The yehakins were traditionally built by women.[2]
