Kathy and Janet’s application for the 2008 Arctic Winter Games.

Some people may consider this Inuit throat singing the world’s worst singing, but to others, it’s beautiful.

Interesting Facts About the Inuit People

They Have Over 50 Words for Snow and Ice

The Inuit languages (such as Inuktitut) have an extraordinary vocabulary for frozen water. Rather than having dozens of completely unrelated root words, their polysynthetic language structure allows them to create precise descriptive terms for specific conditions—such as qaniit (falling snow), aput (snow on the ground), pukak (crystallized snow that looks like sugar), and siqulloq (crusted snow).

They Used Armor Made from Walrus Ivory

Long before European contact, Inuit warriors crafted protective plate armor called qatigait. Made from overlapping plates of walrus ivory or bone bound together with raw leather thongs, this lightweight armor was designed to deflect arrows, spears, and harpoons during conflicts.

They Invented “Polaroid” Sunglasses Thousands of Years Ago

To combat intense snow blindness caused by sunlight reflecting off snow and ice, the Inuit engineered traditional snow goggles (iggaak). Carved from driftwood, bone, or walrus ivory, these goggles featured narrow horizontal slits that drastically reduced incoming glare while sharpening visual focus.

Their Traditional Diet is Almost Entirely Meat, Yet They Avoid Scurvy

Living in the Arctic tundra where plants are scarce for most of the year, the traditional Inuit diet consisted almost entirely of meat and fish—including seal, whale, caribou, and arctic char. Despite the lack of citrus fruits or fresh produce, they historically avoided scurvy by eating raw, nutrient-rich foods like muktuk (whale skin and blubber), organ meats, and seal liver, which are naturally high in Vitamin C.

Igloos Are Far Warmer Inside Than You Think

While an igloo is built purely out of hard-packed snow blocks, snow functions as a remarkable natural insulator due to trapped air pockets. Body heat alone can raise the internal temperature of a well-built igloo to 40°F to 60°F (4°C to 16°C) even when the outside temperature plummets to -40°F (-40°C). Adding a small seal-oil lamp (qulliq) can bring the interior up to near-room temperature.

The Term “Eskimo” is Considered Derogatory

The term “Eskimo” was historically used by non-Indigenous people to describe Arctic populations, but it is now widely recognized as culturally insensitive or offensive, particularly in Canada and Greenland. The term is believed to derive from an Algonquin word meaning “eaters of raw meat.” The people self-identify as Inuit, which simply means “the people” in Inuktitut (with Inuk being the singular noun).

More About Throat Singing

Inuit throat singing (Katajjaq) is a unique form of vocal performance traditionally practiced by two women standing face-to-face. Rather than a formal concert, it began as a friendly competition or game to entertain children while men were away hunting. The performers rhythmically inhale and exhale to imitate natural sounds (like wind, birds, or river water), attempting to outlast each other until one bursts into laughter.

Inuit Mythology Features a Terrifying Child-Stealing Monster

Inuit oral tradition includes rich folklore to teach children survival lessons. One famous figure is the Qalupalik, a human-like sea monster with green skin, long fingernails, and a low hum. According to legend, the Qalupalik wears an amauti (a traditional child-carrying parka) to snatch children who wander too close to the ice edge without adult supervision.

They Have Genetic Adaptations to Extreme Cold and High-Fat Diets

Studies show that Inuit populations possess unique genetic adaptations honed over thousands of years. Research highlights mutations in the CPT1A and FADS genes, which allow their bodies to process high levels of omega-3 fatty acids without experiencing high rates of cardiovascular disease, while also helping their bodies produce heat from fat reserves more efficiently.

They Developed Parkas, Kayaks, and Anoraks

Many modern winter items trace their origins directly to Inuit ingenuity. The word kayak comes from the Inuktitut word qajaq (a seal-skin covered hunting boat designed to be watertight). Similarly, parka and anorak originate from Arctic Indigenous languages, referring to hooded, animal-pelt garments tailored with natural oils to resist sub-zero temperatures and sea spray.