.png)
The Word Eskimo
The term "Eskimo" encompasses several distinct indigenous groups across the Arctic, including the Inuit and Yupik peoples. It is derived from an Algonquian term meaning "snowshoe netter" or "snowshoe lacer," referring to their skill in making snowshoes. Despite sharing some cultural similarities, these tribes have distinct languages, traditions, and ways of life shaped by their respective environments.
Hunting
Eskimo tribes traditionally hunt marine mammals like seals, whales, and walruses, as well as land animals such as caribou and polar bears. They use every part of the animals they hunt for food, clothing, tools, and shelter, demonstrating a deep respect for the environment and its resources. Survival in the Arctic also involves fishing, gathering berries, and using plants for medicinal purposes, showcasing their resourcefulness in a harsh climate.
Lifestyles
Eskimo tribes historically adapted their lifestyles to their surroundings, with some groups being migratory while others established more permanent settlements. Migratory tribes, like the inland Inuit, followed animal migrations and seasonal food sources, living in tents made of animal skins called "qarmait." In contrast, permanent tribes, such as coastal Inuit, built semi-subterranean winter homes called "igloos" from blocks of snow and ice, which provided warmth and protection from the elements during the coldest months.