About Eskimoes

       Eskimoes  live in a land where the winters are are long and very cold. During the short summer months,  they  live in perma- nent homes of stone or earth. However, their home are useless when the Eskimoes have to travel great distences to hunt for food. During such periods, they need temporary homes to live in the and the only available materials that the Eskimoes can use are ice and snow.

      Given the absence of the usual building materials, the indigenious Eskimoes have learnt to utilize the snow and convert it into a snug, warm shelter called an iglo. In the language of  the Eskimoes, the word „igloo‟ simply means house. The igloo is made of blocks of  hard packed snow fitted together to make a low, domed-shapped building. The blocks are cut out are cut out with a knife made from walrus ivory as snow does not stick  to  this  kind  of   knife.  Using  this method, an Eskimo takes only a few hours to build his home.

       Inside the igloo, it is warm enough for the family to take off  their outer fur clothing. A platform of snow , covered with fur and skins, serves as the family bed. During the  cold,  arctic  nights,  the  entire  family sleeps   together fopr warmth. Cooking is done on a stone stove or lamp that burns seal fat or blubber. A small opening at the top of the igloo lets the smoke out and the fresh  air in. Even though the air in the igloo may not be clear or pleasant-smelling, it serves its purpose as a warm, comfortable shelter for the Eskimo‟s family.

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