Not All Igloos Are Ice and Snow

The word igloo just means house or womb. Everything in an igloo has a counter part to a womans body. Psychologically and/or spiritually each day that you rise and exit the building to start your day, you are reborn. So we say everyday is a new beginning.

The most important rule of building an igloo of any kind is to always, always, always, have a smoke hole! Even with out a fire or lamp you can suffocate and die!

The best snow for building a snow and ice igloo is kind of hard packed, the kind that sounds like styrofoam when you walk on it. At the door put up a cunny chuck (arctic entry) its like a short tunnel, put a fur skin at both ends hanging down to help keep out the cold and wind. For izhuks (windows) to let in light use ice blocks. Fill in all the cracks between the snow blocks with more snow to keep the wind from blowing in.

Domes have about 20% to 40% less surface area than an equal size conventional house. This results in less heat loss.

Inside of an igloo is a platform that runs all the way around next to the walls it is called a sin-ee-greet it is a place to sit during the day and sleep at night. Furs are piled on the platform for warmth and comfort.

Holes were dug into the sides of the walls in the sod igloos for storage.

A table in the center held a blue stone (soap stone) lamp, used for heat, light and cooking.

In the olden days when someone died they were placed in thier sod igloo and the whole igloo was buried/ covered with more sod.

In a permanent igloolik there was a mens Kashim, a large igloo for the single men, kind of like a mens club.

To this day there are places where there are ancient Shaman Kashim's where no one dares enter.

 

Unusual Hotels: Iglu-Dorf

The Iglu-Dorf company operates six "igloo villages" in Andorra, Germany and Switzerland. The igloos can accommodate up to six people, and some even come with an en-suite whirlpool. The igloo villages are in operation from late December through April, but if you miss out, or if you're just bitten by the igloo bug, the company also rents inflatable igloos in two sizes. http://www.bing.com/travel/content/search?q=Unusual+Hotels%3a+Iglu-Dorf&FORM=RQTRAV