An igloo, also known as a snow house or snow hut, is a type of shelter built of suitable snow. It is a dome-shaped dwelling made of hard snow known as pukaangajuq, and it was historically used by Inuit families and traveling hunters during the winter season. The word igloo comes from the Inuit word for "house" or "shelter". Here are some key facts about igloos:
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Construction: To build an igloo, builders use knives made out of whale bone or metal and other tools to cut out large blocks of snow. These blocks form the inward-leaning walls of the igloo, which is constructed around this space in a spiral fashion and from within the soon-to-be snow house.
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Insulation: The hard snow walls of the igloo are good insulators that keep in body heat and the heat generated by oil lamps (known as qulliq). This is why traditional igloos are made out of snow rather than ice. Solid ice does not retain heat as well as blocks of compressed snow. Additionally, some igloo interiors have tiered floors, so that people can sleep on different levels and stay warmer.
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Size: The dimensions of igloos vary, but they generally accommodate only one family.
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Materials: The majority of igloos are still made out of snow, however, it’s not the snow that’s just settled on the ground as this isn’t strong enough. You would need to use snow that has been on the ground longer which is below the soft, powdery new snow. This is much firmer, like the snow you’d use to shape into a snowman or snowball, and you can cut it into large snow blocks to build your igloo.
While igloos are no longer the common type of housing used by the Inuit, they remain culturally significant in Arctic communities. Igloos also retain practical value: some hunters and those seeking emergency shelter still use them.
