How to Build a Hogan for a School Project

Hogans are dwellings developed by the Navajo tribe. These five-, six- or eight-sided buildings are made of logs, mud, adobe or whatever other natural materials are available in the area. Small hogans where men meet are termed male hogans, while larger structures that serve as the family home are called female hogans. A hogan's door always faces east, toward the rising sun.

Things You'll Need

• Brown piece of tag board or cardboard about 9 inches square
• 60 craft sticks
• Glue
• Circular piece of brown tag board or cardboard about 10 inches in diameter
• Pencil
• Ruler
• Scissors
• Transparent tape

Instructions

1. Glue six sticks in a hexagonal shape on the cardboard, leaving a small opening for a door. Overlap the sticks slightly, so the hexagon is about 8 inches in diameter.

2. Glue seven more layers of sticks onto the first layer to form the hogan walls.

3. Use the pencil and ruler to draw a straight line from the edge of the circle to the center. Mark the center point and another point 2 1/2 inches from the center.

4. Cut along the line you drew, forming a slit from the edge of the circle to the center.

5. Starting at the 2 1/2 inch mark, cut a smaller circle from within the larger circle.

6. Form the large circle into a dome shape, leaving the small circle open as a chimney hole. Use the tape to hold the circle in place.

7. Glue the circle piece onto the craft stick walls, forming the roof of the hogan.

References

• Easy Fun School: Native Americans-Special Homes
• Teacherplace.org: Navajo Hogan Box