![]() ![]() The Inuit don't have hundreds of words for snowĪnother misunderstanding of Inuit culture was caused by anthropologist Franz Boas back in the 19 th century. Therefore, whether you live in a European mansion or a studio apartment, you reside inside an igloo. Although there are some Inuit who live or have lived in the dome-shaped buildings that are constructed almost exclusively from snow and ice, the word igloo means any type of structure where people live. The image of what you believe to be an igloo is probably very easy to conjure up, but this does not fully encompass the actual meaning of this word. According to the early legends, Qallupilluk lived under the water, and this twisted mixture of a humanoid figure/monster was said to drag children to an icy grave. ![]() This word translates into monster, and tales about its horrific actions were used to keep children from wandering far away. For the ancient Inuit people, their mythological creature to fear and stand in awe of was called the Qallupilluk. For example, some modern Americans believe in Bigfoot, but most people are convinced that this creature does not exist. Inuit folklore is incredibly extensiveĮvery culture throughout human history has developed some type of folklore, and most of these stories were meant to explain away fears about the unknown. Tupilaks are no longer associated with witchcraft and are sold at gift shops. In modern times, some Inuit carvers have been able to make a living out of making grotesque tupilaks from wood, narwhal tusks or reindeer horns. According to Inuit history, the tupilaks were once carved out of bone, and they were believed to be an important piece of witchcraft that could kill one of the artist’s enemies. The most commonly available example of this art is a little statue that is known as a tupilak. Tourists who visit Greenland are often excited to purchase an original piece of Inuit art. This design was definitely ingenious, and it enabled the earliest Inuit people to survive many encounters that would have almost certainly been deadly otherwise. Due to this, they crafted their own version of armor out of raw leather straps and bone plates, which was usually made from walrus teeth. The ancient Inuit had no way to get their hands on steel, but they still needed protection from the elements and dangerous animals. When you hear the word armor, you probably envision knights protected by steel. Unlike what you have probably experienced while participating in a so-called Eskimo kiss, the Inuit are actually smelling each other’s cheeks and hair. The reality, though, is that the Inuit do not rub noses in order to kiss, but they do use a slightly different form of this gesture to greet their significant others, children and parents. Most people have heard the phrase "Eskimo kiss," and it is not uncommon to see non-Inuit couples doing this as a form of affection. Rubbing noses is not an Inuit form of kissing Approximately 10 percent of the Inuit people live in remote regions, and each group speaks its own language.ģ. However, there are three distinct major Inuit groups: Inughuit, Tunumiit and Kalaallit. This means that there are an estimated 51,349 Inuit people living in this country, and the vast majority of them live in the southwestern corner. Greenland’s population is primarily InuitĪs of 2012, a whopping 89 percent of the total population of Greenland was Inuit. It is also important to be aware that Inuit is for plural usage, and Inuk is singular. Therefore, if you are speaking with something from an Inuit tribe, be sure to avoid the culturally insensitive word. Instead, it is believed that either the French or Danish first coined the phrase Eskimo, and it apparently meant either “snow-shoe netter” or “meat eater.” Either way, the majority of modern Inuit people view the word Eskimo as a racial slur. Inuit prefer to be called Inuk or Inuit - but not EskimoĪlthough it has become common to refer to the Inuit as Eskimos, this is not their preferred name, nor does it have anything to do with their cultural heritage. To help you learn more about these people that you are likely to encounter if you decide to take a Greenland trip, we present 10 interesting Inuit facts that everyone should know. If you are going to participate in an Arctic cruise you probably have an interest in the Inuit culture. 10 Inuit facts to enlighten your Greenland experience ![]()
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