The Inuit
The people
Lean into your inner wildness and allow yourself to explore these colder landscapes, hunting, scavenging and savouring all that it can offer you.
In traditional Inuktitut dialect, Inuit translates as ‘the people’. Previously, Inuits were referred to as "Eskimos" which derives from an Algonquian word meaning "Eaters of Raw Flesh". Traditionally this Arctic Native American tribe are known as fishers and hunters. Today they continue this custom, hunting a range of animals from whales to walrus, polar bears to arctic foxes and also more commonly, fish and birds.
In traditional Inuktitut dialect, Inuit translates as ‘the people’. Previously, Inuits were referred to as "Eskimos" which derives from an Algonquian word meaning "Eaters of Raw Flesh". Traditionally this Arctic Native American tribe are known as fishers and hunters. Today they continue this custom, hunting a range of animals from whales to walrus, polar bears to arctic foxes and also more commonly, fish and birds.
Snapshot
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Region is North America
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Climate here is Polar
Life
The traditions of this culture rely heavily on assigned gender roles. The men have long been the hunters and fishermen, whilst the women have taken care of the children, home, food. However, in more recent years there are examples of women who hunt, either out of necessity or as a personal choice.
Given the extreme conditions and challenging snow filled environment, the Inuit use a variety of transportation to get about such as sleds and toboggans.
Given the extreme conditions and challenging snow filled environment, the Inuit use a variety of transportation to get about such as sleds and toboggans.
Home
You may well know of the “igloo”, or as the Inuit refer to them, the “snowhouse”. These shelters are constructed from blocks of snow which form a dome. Igloos come in various forms, differing in size and purpose. When temperatures rise above freezing and igloo building is no longer possible, Inuits get creative with animal skin and bones to construct tents to live in.
Culture
Social Structure
Inuit society is all about family. The original structure is based around extended family. This consists of a man, wife, their unmarried children plus their unmarried sons and their families. Inuit are open minded when it comes to relationships. Marriage here isn’t strictly monogamous and polygamy, divorce, remarriage and open marriages are common in the community.
Religion
Inuits are very spiritual people. Whilst the dominant religion is Christianity, they also practiced a form of Shamanism. This is based on animist principles and the belief that objects and living things have spiritual connections.
Inuits believe these spirits can be influenced by a pantheon, a supernatural god-like being. It’s thought that these can bring a calm like state to those who can empower an animal or inanimate object to act in a certain way.
Inuits believe these spirits can be influenced by a pantheon, a supernatural god-like being. It’s thought that these can bring a calm like state to those who can empower an animal or inanimate object to act in a certain way.
Traditions
You’ll see Inuits wearing Amulets, a good luck charm. They’re worn for three reasons. For protection, to bring success in hunting and to invoke the support of guardian spirits.
Music has strong ancient origins within the community. It plays an important role in ritual ceremonies. The enticing and captivating tradition of Katajjaq is made up of the complex use of drums to create a trance-like state. This is usually accompanied by dances, rhythms and memorable guttural, recitative, chanting.
Inuits have to get creative with their clothing and footwear. They use animal skins, sewn together using needles made from animal bones and threads made from other animal products such as sinew, to create clothing that will withstand the challenging climate.
Music has strong ancient origins within the community. It plays an important role in ritual ceremonies. The enticing and captivating tradition of Katajjaq is made up of the complex use of drums to create a trance-like state. This is usually accompanied by dances, rhythms and memorable guttural, recitative, chanting.
Inuits have to get creative with their clothing and footwear. They use animal skins, sewn together using needles made from animal bones and threads made from other animal products such as sinew, to create clothing that will withstand the challenging climate.
Language
The traditional language, Inuktitut, is mainly spoken by the Inuits in the Yukon, Northwest Territories and also some parts of Greenland. You’ll find they also speak English and French.
Art
Inuits are very skilled in carving. They like to depict their daily activities, such as hunting, in sculptures made of ivory and bone. They also carve religious rituals that are beautifully decorated with fur and feathers.
Celebrations
The Inuit observe the holidays of the Christian calendar.
Potlatch: Traditional feast held whenever a new totem pole is raised. The hosting Inuit this will often give away his most valuable possessions during the ceremony.
Potlatch: Traditional feast held whenever a new totem pole is raised. The hosting Inuit this will often give away his most valuable possessions during the ceremony.
Further knowledge
You won’t just open your mind but your lung too, as you take in some of the best quality air in the world.
You’ll often see Inuits practising the commonly known "Eskimo kiss,". They don’t rub noses to kiss, but to greet their significant others and family.
You’ll often see Inuits practising the commonly known "Eskimo kiss,". They don’t rub noses to kiss, but to greet their significant others and family.