lavvu

thumb|A lavvu in the late 1800s, from "Norge i det nittende aarhundrede" (1900). A lavvu (or , , , , (kåvas), , , and ) is a temporary dwelling used by the Sami people of northern extremes of Northern Europe. It has a design similar to a Native American tipi but is less vertical and more stable in high winds. It enables the indigenous cultures of the treeless plains of northern Scandinavia and the high arctic of Eurasia to follow their reindeer herds. It is still used as a temporary shelter by the Sami, and increasingly by other people for camping. It should not be confused with the goahti, another type of Sami dwelling, or the Finnish laavu.

== Historical definition == right|thumb|upright=1.4|A Sami family in front of a goahti in the foreground and a lavvu in the background (the picture is taken around 1900). There are several historical references that describe the lavvu structure used by the Sami. These structures have the following in common: The lavvu is supported by three or more evenly spaced forked or notched poles that form a tripod. There are upwards of ten or more unsecured straight poles that are laid up against the tripod and which give form to the structure. The lavvu does not need any stakes, guy-wire or ropes to provide shape or stability to the structure. The shape and volume of the lavvu is determined by the size and quantity of the poles that are used for the structure. There is no center pole needed to support this structure.