The little-known Eskimos have survived for millennia in one of the most hostile climates on the planet without agriculture or even proper shelter.
Unlike their Native American cousins further south, people know virtually nothing about this culture, except for the most dogged stereotypes, and how European civilization has changed the lives of these indomitable people.
Inuit
Though the world knows them as “Eskimos”, their real autonym is Inuit, meaning “The People”.
The Inuit consider the term “Eskimo” derogatory and even racist.
The word “Eskimo”, which means “Eaters of Raw Flesh”, is believed to come from the language of the Algonquian Indians.
Homes
“Yesterday is ashes; tomorrow wood. Only today does the fire burn brightly.”
Eskimo proverb
Though most often associated with the igloo, in reality, the Inuit had three types of dwellings: a permanent hut built on the shore and made of stone and mud with whale ribs as beams over which they placed seal skins, soil and moss; a summer dwelling made of skin tents much like the ones used by Native Americans; and a hunting dwelling called the igloo, which was made of blocks of ice and skillfully shaped into a dome.
The Inuit's dwellings tell a tale of adaptability, where stone, ice, and seal skins become the building blocks of Arctic survival.
All of their dwellings were lined with sealskins to make them comfortable and they used seal grease lamps for warmth and lighting.
Origins
“Change is the only constant.”
Eskimo proverb
Contrary to popular belief, the Inuit are not related to the Native Americans.
They originated in Siberia and are really Asian.
Marriage
Inuit women used to marry very early, between the ages of 15-16, and always arranged by their parents.
There are no gifts, dowries or even a formal ceremony except for a fake kidnapping where the woman would scream and howl while the groom dragged her off.
Nourishment
“May you have kindness in your heart, a plump woman in your furs, and seal meat in your larder.”
Eskimo proverb
The Inuit hunt seals, caribou, polar bears in the spring, and fish in the summer.
Polar bears are obviously the most dangerous prey.
Inuit nourishment echoes a profound respect for the Arctic's bountiful offerings, where survival hinges on a delicate balance between skill, courage, and adaptation.
They’d usually search for bears in their dog-pulled sleds.
When the Inuit came across a bear, the dogs were released, who would then chase the bear and corner it until the Inuit could approach safely and strike with his harpoon.
Clothing
The men were in charge of skinning the hunted animals, but the women cleaned the skins of meat, fat and tendons.
They would then place the skin to dry stretched over some pegs.
Once dried, the women would chew the skins completely and rub them with a special tool to make them more flexible.
The transformation of animal skins into durable clothing involved a meticulous process that showcased the Inuit's resourcefulness and adaptability in their harsh Arctic environment.
The skins would remain soft and flexible even at temperatures of -50º.
Because of this process, women would typically have unusually developed jaws and mandibular muscles and lose their teeth at an early age.
Kissing
Along with the igloo, probably one of the few tidbits about the Inuit known all over the world.
The Inuit way of expressing affection is to rub noses with another person, called Kunik.
Ordinary kissing could dangerously freeze a couple’s saliva and lock their lips together. Rubbing noses is also a way of sniffing the other person’s hair and cheeks.
The ultimate survivalists, mastering life at -50º
The Inuit, or as the world mistakenly calls them, “Eskimos”—a people so resourceful they make Bear Grylls look like a pampered spa-goer.
From their multi-purpose homes that could give HGTV a run for its money, to their early-age marriages that make even the most dramatic reality TV shows seem dull, the Inuit are the epitome of adaptability.
They’ve mastered the art of nose-rubbing affection, a practice so efficient it makes you wonder why the rest of us are still wasting our time with germ-swapping kisses.
So, the next time you complain about your Wi-Fi being slow, remember there’s an Inuit out there, skillfully harpooning a polar bear, all while keeping their home at a balmy -50º.
A salute to the real MVPs of survival, who’ve been socially distancing before it was cool—or should I say, ice-cold.