• Things to Do
  • Destinations
  • Plan Your Trip
  • About Greenland
  • Events
Visit Greenland
  • Home
  • Things to Do
  • Destinations
    • All destinations
    • North Greenland
    • Disko Bay
    • Destination Arctic Circle
    • Capital Region
    • South Greenland
    • East Greenland
    • The National Park
  • Plan Your Trip
  • About Greenland
  • Articles
  • Events
  • Cruise
  • Practical Questions
  • Package tours & providers
  • Your Local Travel Agency
  • Contact
  • Search

Dwellings of the Inuit culture

The hunter’s life required dwellings that offered good protection, were easy to build and were close to the hunting and fishing areas.

DWELLINGS FOR ALL PURPOSES

The Inuits lived in and from their natural surroundings, and this required dwellings that were easy to build and which were located close to the places where the hunting was good. Right up until the mid-1950s there were still regions in Greenland where the Inuits lived in rather primitive, but highly adequate, dwellings.

This is particularly true of the winter dwelling, which was a turf hut, as well as the more mobile tent made from animal hide, and the igloo, a temporary shelter made of snow.

THE GREENLANDIC IGLOO

During the winter it was sometimes necessary to build a temporary home if the hunters were away for longer periods or were caught out by bad weather. In this case the igloo was ideal. The word ‘igloo’ actually means ‘house’, and although it is a somewhat primitive house, the igloo can provide shelter and temperatures adequate for survival.

An igloo is constructed of large blocks of snow that are cut out in different sizes with a special snow knife. The blocks are placed on top of each other in a spiral and form an effective dome-shaped shelter. The igloo was only used in the very north of Greenland, where the sea was frozen in winter.

"Right up until the mid-1950s there were still regions in Greenland where the Inuits lived in rather primitive, but highly adequate, dwellings."

Package Tours

Arctic Umiaq Line: Discover Greenland from the sea

Arctic Umiaq Line

Discover Greenland from the sea

The coastal ship Sarfaq Ittuk sails from southern Greenland up along Greenland’s west coast to Disko Bay.

FROM 500 DKK
Greenland Tours: Hearts of the Inuit

Greenland Tours

Hearts of the Inuit

6 days during winter in Disko Bay with Inuit settlement visit

FROM €1,365
Blue Ice Explorer: Traditional kayak experience – 1 day

Blue Ice Explorer

Traditional kayak experience - 1 day

Explore the old inuit culture by paddling in a kayak built using the traditional, greenlandic methods.

FROM €180
Blue Ice Explorer – South Greenland 5 days – active

Blue Ice Explorer

South Greenland 5 days – active

A 5-day getaway from Iceland for the active traveller with hiking around Igaliku, Qassiarsuk and Narsarsuaq.

FROM €541
Show More

GREENLANDIC TURF HUTS

Turf huts – or earth huts – are still seen in many towns in Greenland, but mostly in connection with exhibitions at local museums. The turf hut was the most common type of dwelling, as they were so robust and well insulated that they could be lived in more or less permanently.

A typical turf hut was low, square and its walls were made of large stones and turf and the roof was supported by wooden beams made of driftwood. The dwellings were always situated close to the sea so that the hunters could easily get to their kayaks when hunting for seals.

HIDE TENTS FOR THE SUMMER MONTHS

When families left the winter settlement and turf huts in early spring, youngsters and adults went out to gather berries, hunt reindeer and catch fish. This enabled them to gather sufficient provisions to last throughout the long winters.

To avoid having to sleep out in the open, they took with them tents made of sealskin that were easy to carry and could be set up where the food was to be found. The tents were supported by a wooden frame of driftwood and the outer sealskin covering was attached to the ground using large stones.

Explore related articles, offers and tour providers:

  • Anything
  • Anytime
  • Anywhere
  • Architecture
  • Capital Region
  • Cultural Experiences
  • East Greenland
  • History
  • Inuit Culture
  • Paamiut
  • Qassiarsuk
  • South Greenland
  • Summer
  • Uummannaq
  • Winter

By Visit Greenland

Behind Greenland's largest travel site is the Visit Greenland that is 100% owned by the Government of Greenland, who is responsible for marketing the country's adventures and opportunities for guests wishing to visit the world's largest island

https://visitgreenland.com

Editors' pick

Walk on path along coastline of Nuuk. Photo - Peter Lindstrom, Visit Greenland

Greenland’s modern path to independence

Many people ask if Greenland is considered a country. Others question, Why does Denmark own Greenland? Read on to get a snapshot of Greenland’s political status and the historical background of Greenland’s road to independence.

  • #Anytime
  • #Capital Region
  • #East Greenland
  • #Expeditions
  • #History
  • #North Greenland
  • #Regions
  • #Seasons
  • #The National Park
  • #Things to do & About
Whale Art by Aka Høegh, Qaqortoq. Photo - Peter Lindstrom, Visit Greenland

The Greenlandic hunting culture and the Bowhead Whale – a portrait

The Bowhead Whale can boast not only of its appearance in Season 4 of Borgen, but also of its status as the world's most padded baleen whale, and its history of coming close to extinction.

  • #All destinations
  • #Anytime
  • #Anywhere
  • #Cultural Experiences
  • #Culture vs Nature
  • #Hunting
  • #Inuit Culture
  • #Natural Experiences
  • #Regions
  • #Seasons
  • #Things to do & About
  • #Towns & settlements
  • #Whale Watching
Nukissiorfiit worker is moving ice with poclain in Qaanaaq. Photo by Aningaaq R Carlsen - Visit Greenland

When ice becomes (drinking) water: Greenland’s energy heroes

Employees of Greenland's utility company, Nukissiorfiit, work every day to ensure that residents across the country have access to vital energy, water and heat.

  • #Anytime
  • #Icebergs
  • #Ilulissat
  • #Meeting Greenlanders
  • #North Greenland
  • #Providers
  • #Public Facilities
  • #Qaanaaq
  • #Regions
  • #Seasons
  • #Things to do & About
  • #Towns & settlements
  • #Uummannaq
Muskox under the sun in Jameson Land. Photo by Bo Normander

Musk oxen and sandstone mountains in Jameson Land

A hike in the northeastern Greenlandic wilderness in Jameson Land offers incredible mountain landscapes and intimate experiences with the large musk oxen that dig into the local vegetation.

  • #Camping
  • #Cultural Experiences
  • #Culture vs Nature
  • #East Greenland
  • #Fauna
  • #Flora
  • #Hiking
  • #Natural Expereinces
  • #Regions
  • #Seasons
  • #Summer
  • #Things to do & About
  • #Towns & settlements
More related articles

Keep Exploring

Things to Do

Browse culture and nature (outdoor, hunting, fishing, cruises) related activities, as well as combination of both types.

Plan your trip

Read about practical information on how to get to Greenland, how to get around, when to travel or where to stay.

Destinations

Explore the regions and towns around Greenland and dig deeper into the experiences in each destination.

About Greenland

All about art, music, history, as well as animals, climate change and other interesting information about Greenland.

Visit Greenland

About Visit Greenland

Behind Greenland's largest travel site is the Visit Greenland that is 100% owned by the Government of Greenland, who is responsible for marketing the country's adventures and opportunities for guests wishing to visit the world's largest island.
The VisitGreenland.com website is created by Visit Greenland and Kathart Interactive.
The Privacy Policy for Visit Greenland

Frequently Visited Pages

  • Things to Do
  • Destinations
  • Nature & Climate
  • When to go
  • Greenlandic Culture
  • Frequently Asked Questions

Other Websites By Visit Greenland:

  • Travel Trade
  • Cruise Call List
  • Media Database

Newsletter

Receive inspiring stories, travel deals and news from Greenland via email.

SIGN UP HERE

GREENLAND – contact us:

Mon. - Fri: 8 am - 4 pm

Visit Greenland
Hans Egedesvej 29
P.O. Box 1615
3900 Nuuk
Greenland

Direct phone Greenland:
(+299) 34 28 21

info@visitgreenland.com

DENMARK – Contact us:

Mon. - Fri. 8 am - 4 pm

Visit Greenland
Strandgade 91
1401 Copenhagen
Denmark

Direct phone Denmark:
(+45) 32 83 38 80

info@visitgreenland.com
The Greenlandic Tupilak A bone carving figurine from Tasillaq in East Greenland looking right. By Mads Pihl The Flora of Greenland
Scroll to top