Villages

Houses (pahas), varied in size and shape from one culture region to the next. The most common, for a family dwelling, was circular or oval of wooden pole construction and approximately 25ft in diameter. Contrast this with the council houses which were often more that 100ft. across. Roofs and walls were thatched with palm leaves and in warmer months were sometimes made of reeds, cane, or sticks to allow the air to circulate. The door openings were short and wide, about 3 feet tall and 4 1/2 feet wide. Reed mats topped benches that were set around the outside walls for sitting or sleeping.

Villages were comprised of 20-30 houses (about 200-250 people) along with corn cribs, storage houses, moon houses, work areas, and drying racks. The middle of the village was reserved for the council house, the political and ceremonial "hub" of the village. In south Florida where the natives (as hunters and gatherers) moved frequently, houses were less elaborate. The houses were built in a circular pattern by bending over the tops of long poles from each side and joining them in the center. They were then thatched or covered with mats. In very wet areas, homes and other buildings were elevated on mounds or poles.