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The igloo is an invention of the Inuit tribes. Here
the hunters sleep in ice holes, their only chance of survival
from the cold as the temperature drops to minus 40 degrees
centigrade at night. The windows of the igloo always face
towards the side which receive the most daylight.
Igloos are only built in the Canadian Arctic and in
Thule in Greenland. In Southern and Eastern Greenland,
dugouts braced with whalebone and rock are favoured as digs.
The Inuit also created large snow domes for singing, dancing,
and competitions for the long winter nights. The community
igloos contained skylights, not that there was much sun outside
during the long bleak winter where the sun doesn’t rise
for 3 whole months. The stars and moon provide “light”
indoors.
What did the Inuit get up to during the
cold winter nights?
After feasting and dancing, singing and lawsuits were popular
pastimes. The close contact grated on many Eskimos nerves
and they would conduct litigation in the form of song and
verse, making up outrageous songs about the accused parties.
How the Igloo is built
After the key block is inserted, the hut is sealed and a
lamp is kindled. The heated air melts the face of the snow
block, which seals and cements the ice further. This process
is repeated for several weeks. This will eventually transform
the building from a snow house to a house of ice from the
inside out. Community dwelling of interlinked igloos can be
created by building a series of interconnected domes.
Igloo cool
For a cooler, chic Igloo experience you can visit the Hotel
Igloo Village in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland. An igloo is
the equivalent of a double or twin room sleeping two people,
and the hotel has 5 igloos. A typical night at the igloo will
cost around 500 DKK (a bargain at around $60), including arctic
sleeping bags and breakfast. Candles in the igloo create an
intimate atmosphere, and there’s even an ice bar carved
out of ice, ice cubes not needed!
Around the resort, giant illuminated ice sculptures create
the perfect aura to experience the beauty of the Northern
lights.
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