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The '''Inuit''' are a [[Native American]] people of northernmost [[North America]], [[Europe]] and [[Asia]] which are still commonly known in the United States as '''Eskimoes'''. Their traditional range of inhabitation spans around the [[Arctic Circle]] from eastern [[Siberia]] across [[Alaska]] in the United States, the [[Northwest Territory]], [[Yukon Territory]], [[Nunavut]], [[Quebec]] and [[Newfoundland]] in [[Canada]], all the way to [[Greenland]] and the [[Faroe Islands]]. Anthropologically, they were a much studied people for their physical and social adaptations to severe cold.

The '''Inuit''' are a [[Native American]] people of northernmost [[North America]], [[Europe]] and [[Asia]] which are still commonly known in the United States as '''Eskimos'''. Their traditional range of inhabitation spans around the [[Arctic Circle]] from eastern [[Siberia]] across [[Alaska]] in the United States, the [[Northwest Territory]], [[Yukon Territory]], [[Nunavut]], [[Quebec]] and [[Newfoundland]] in [[Canada]], all the way to [[Greenland]] and the [[Faroe Islands]]. Anthropologically, they were a much studied people for their physical and social adaptations to severe cold.

==Name==

==Name==

In their own language, ''Intuit'' means ''the people''. The traditional name for them, ''Eskimo'', is now not [[politically correct]] since only foreigners had used it. Furthermore, in Inuit it means ''eaters of raw meat'', neglecting their large diet of raw fish.

In their own language, ''Inuit'' means ''the people''. The traditional name for them, ''Eskimo'', is now not [[politically correct]] since only foreigners had used it. Furthermore, in Inuit it means ''eaters of raw meat'', neglecting their large diet of raw fish.

==Language==

==Language==

==Diet==

==Diet==

Since the Inuit live in a region of [[permafrost]], they do not consume many plants. Their diet primarily consists of fish caught through [[icehole]]s and [[seal]]s, [[walrus]]es, or [[auk]]s caught by [[spear]]hunting. Occasionally they would kill a [[polar bear]] to eat, but as with any bear, the meat is often not worth the danger of the hunt. In the [[whale]] spawning season, the Inuit would venture onto the thawed waters and hunt the great animals for their meat and [[blubber]], a natural insulant for their homes and a wax subsitute for [[candle]]s.

Since the Inuit live in a region of [[permafrost]], they do not consume many plants. Their diet primarily consists of fish caught through [[icehole]]s and [[seal]]s, [[walrus]]es, or [[auk]]s caught by [[spear]]hunting. Occasionally they would kill a [[polar bear]] to eat, but as with any bear, the meat is often not worth the danger of the hunt. In the [[whale]] spawning season, the Inuit would venture onto the thawed waters and hunt the great animals for their meat and [[blubber]], a natural insulator for their homes and a wax substitute for [[candle]]s.

The Inuit developed a specialized [[metabolism]] for [[protein]], [[fat]], and [[carbohydrate]]s in a virtually [[fiber]]-free diet. However, they often suffered from conditions resulting in a lack of [[Vitamin C]], [[riboflavin]] and [[thiamine]]. Their different metabolism has led to serious health issues as they try to convert to a modern diet.

The Inuit developed a specialized [[metabolism]] for [[protein]], [[fat]], and [[carbohydrate]]s in a virtually [[fiber]]-free diet. However, they often suffered from conditions resulting in a lack of [[Vitamin C]], [[riboflavin]] and [[thiamine]]. Their different metabolism has led to serious health issues as they try to convert to a modern diet.

==Society==

==Society==

The Inuit developped heat-efficient housing made of thick blocks of ice, called [[igloo]]s. They would live in small villages through the long winter and then switch to a [[nomadic]] lifestyle in the short summer.

The Inuit developed heat-efficient housing made of thick blocks of ice, called [[igloo]]s. They would live in small villages through the long winter and then switch to a [[nomadic]] lifestyle in the short summer.

Their clothing was also heat-efficient: polar bear fur and sealskin would be used for the highly insulated [[parka]]s, [[anorak]]s, [[papoose]]s and [[mukluk]]s that comprised the Inuit wardrobe.

Their clothing was also heat-efficient: polar bear fur and sealskin would be used for the highly insulated [[parka]]s, [[anorak]]s, [[papoose]]s and [[mukluk]]s that comprised the Inuit wardrobe.

The Intuit traditionally practiced [[polyandry]], the polygamous endowment of several husbands to one wife<ref>http://www.snowwowl.com/peopleinuit5.html</ref>. In the harsh climate it was difficult for one man to feed a pregnant woman, thus several men would put aside their natural competitive instincts to care for one woman and continue the preservation of the race.

The Intuit traditionally practiced [[polyandry]], the polygamous endowment of several husbands to one wife<ref>http://www.snowwowl.com/peopleinuit5.html</ref>. In the harsh climate it was difficult for one man to feed a pregnant woman, thus several men would put aside their natural competitive instincts to care for one woman and continue the preservation of the race.

The funerary ceremony of the Inuit involved the family and close friends of the deceased placing the corpse on a small ice flow or canoe and casting it out to see.

The funerary ceremony of the Inuit involved the family and close friends of the deceased placing the corpse on a small ice flow or canoe and casting it out to sea.

==Religion==

==Religion==