Central Inuit facts for kids
The Central Inuit are a group of Inuit people who live in Northern Canada. They are known for their traditional ways of life, including living in snowhouses (called "igloos"), wearing warm fur clothing, and using sled dogs for travel.
These Central Inuit are different from other Inuit groups, like the Iñupiat in Alaska, the Kalaallit in Greenland, and the Russian Inuit.
Who Are the Central Inuit?
The Central Inuit are divided into several smaller groups. These include the Caribou Inuit, the Netsilik, the Iglulik Inuit, and the Baffinland Inuit, who live on Baffin Island. Even though the Copper Inuit live in the central Arctic, they are seen as a separate group because of their unique customs and beliefs.
How Central Inuit See the World
The Central Inuit have a special way of understanding the world. They connect women with the sea, sea animals, tools used for the sea, and the winter season. Men, on the other hand, are connected with the land, land animals, tools for the land, and the summer season. This idea of gender also affects how they bury their dead.
Instead of making pictures of powerful spirits, the Central Inuit often create amulets. These are special charms made from pieces of different things, including parts of animals. They believe these amulets offer protection or good luck.
Traditional Homes
The Central Inuit lived in different kinds of homes depending on the season and their activities. Besides the famous igloos made of snow, they also lived in homes called qarmaqs. These were often made from sod, stones, or animal skins, providing shelter during different times of the year.
