GLASTONBURY FESTIVAL INFORMATION
Fri 10th Oct 03
GuilFest Guilfest 2004 
Tipis have played a part in the festival at Pilton since quite early days. Given the extraordinary power and beauty of these majestic structures they soon established themselves as part of the annual landscape at Worthy Farm, and one that many people would walk a long way to see. Individual tipis have always been dotted throughout the site as people get on with the day to day business of living in what is now the Acoustic Stage Field, over to East Holts, through the Healing Space, and up to the King's Meadow. There in the Sacred Space is the totem that accompanied them for many years, put up each time with attendendant ceremonies. There is also usually the Rainbow Circle, a rather exclusive gathering for the Rainbow tribe, who are often so keen to keep an "open" circle that non-Rainbows are not allowed to join it. More recently the Rainbows have concentrated on their own summer camps and been less of a presence at the Festival.After some 20 years the tipi camping field was established as a designated space for any lodge that wished to be there. The snag at that time was that only about half the field was intended for this purpose, with the rest given over to Avalon crew and performers camping.
As those familiar with Festival politics will readily pitch camp attempting "real Fesitval spirit" toward their neighbours - the bottom line being that there really was not enough space for all as both fields grew in stature and popularity.
Eventually the tipis were considered worthy of their own complete space, and what had been the Tipi Circle (as you will see it on many old maps and site guides) became the Tipi Field - tipis only - pure and simple. There were some 165 of them in 2 great circles in 1999. Without heavy security systems and massive stewarding crews this can still be remarkably hard to achieve. Much as everybody loves the concept of a true tipis only field, they all want to camp in it - whether they've got a tipi or not - usually not. Every year every excuse in the book is given - "but I've camped here for 15 years..." "but this is my spiritual home - I'll leave in the morning" "but I'm half Red Indian, er, Native American" "there's nowhere else on site left to camp" "but we were told to camp here in the Avalon Field" "the field organizer said we could put up our yurt/dome/Bedouin tent/bender/bus/housetruck/van/Combi/car here" "that's my mother/father/sister/brother/Granny in that tipi over there" "but you can't get a tipi under this bush man..."
Despite all of the above, the Tipi Field really is meant to be the Tipi Field, that's how the Festival and Michael Eavis want it, and that's how those in the field want it. Only by respecting this will the Field be able to continue and flourish, as the largest annual gathering of tipis in Europe. Certainly the vast array of tipis and their inhabitants involved in cooking, washing, chopping firewood, changing babies, chilling out with friends over tea, has to rate as one of the visual experiences, perfomance living in fact, of the Festival. The Field brings together an eclectic mix of people and lifestyles; from those committed enough to live full time in a tipi through weekenders and festival outings only, to first timers and those longing to be initiated.
Tipi interiors range from reeds, sheepskins, and traditionally built firepits to purpose made groundsheets, Habitat rugs and Conran picnic sets. Until recently it was a scene that could only truly be entered into by the elite few who actually owned a tipi. However now it is possible for other people to step into this world for the duration of the Festival, and experience not only living in an authentically made tipi, but the magic of what is undoubtedly the best space on site. As part of the Green Fields it is veggie/vegan in trading terms, although tea and flapjacks are usually about the extent of catering in the Field. The designated entry point is Gate 2, and parking for tipi carrying vehicles is along the railway line at Gate 6 - there is no in field or on site parking facilities whatsoever - vehicles, like tents etc., will be removed if left in the Field, and their owners will not receive vehicle passes thereafter. Green Traffic Control will direct you on the approach to the field. There is now mains water in the Field but no loos. There is an active and committed field crew who are happy to assist in anyway they can. If you already have a tipi you should contact the Tipi Field Co-ordinators to find out how to get your tipi to the Festival (see the bottom of the page to contact them).
A key activity is the raising of the Totem, the Field's focal point, after days of communal carving and painting. In 1999 a system of ropes, the brute force of 150 people people, and much ethusiastic shouting ensured the safe erection of the 5 ton solid piece of Cornish oak brought from the wilds of North Cornwall to pay tribute in the Vale of Avalon.
There is usually everything from Tai Chi Greeting the Dawn through mid morning Morris Dancing to bands such as South American Chan Chan to Manchester based Substation. Afternoons are often packed with workshops in everything from Medicine Bundle and Dreamcatcher making, to drumming and sacred Native American dance and storytelling later on - many of these workshops are tailored especially for children. Painting and crafts are daily sending children happily to sleep.
The field is also close to the Jazzworld Stage (now One World Stage) which in '99 hosted such greats as Baba Maal, Burning Spear, and Faithless. Green Kidz is a few minutes walk though Avalon and on past Manic Organic and the Tiny Tea Tent, and being part of the Green Fields means that anyone living in the Tipi Field is already based in the most beautiful, interesting and varied part of the Festival. The Green Fields continue to feel like the real heart of the Festival at Pilton, with many people never feeling the need to venture down into Babylon, main stage etc.
As you may have gathered, the Tipi Field is family friendly, with many children and lots of space for them to run and play freely. It is also a very sociable and secure space with few of the problems associated with some areas on site. Nightime in the Tipi Field is probably more spectacular than day - and sunset/ sunrise across the forest of poles and brightly coloured ribbons with a backdrop of the big oak bordering our field and Avalon has to be seen, and then remembered.
Hiring a tipi for the Festival can be surprisingly expensive, but still considered worth it by those who do. To ensure the best value with tipis, all bookings are now handled via the Glastonbury Festival Office. Please contact them at tipis@glastonburyfestivals.co.uk for more information.
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