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What kinds of homes were built by Inuit peoples in the Arctic?

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A dancer in a bright pink shawl with fringe, wearing traditional regalia adorned with blue and black accents, performs at an outdoor cultural event. — Native American November is the traditional time of harvest, gathering, and celebration in Native communities.

Inuit peoples traditionally adapted their housing to the seasonal demands of the Arctic climate. Their dwellings were designed for mobility and protection against extreme cold.1

Winter Shelters

During the winter, Inuit groups primarily utilized two types of structures:
* Igloos: These are dome-shaped, temporary dwellings constructed from blocks of compact snow. While the term "igloo" is often associated exclusively with snow, the word itself simply means "house," and these structures were also occasionally built using sod, stone, or wood.2
* Semisubterranean houses: These more permanent winter homes were constructed using stone or sod built over a framework of wood or whalebone.1

Summer Shelters

As the seasons shifted and temperatures rose, the Inuit transitioned to more portable housing. During the summer months, many Inuit lived in tents fashioned from animal skins, such as sealskin, though cloth tents have become more common in recent times.21

These diverse building techniques reflect the ingenuity of the Inuit in navigating the harsh environmental conditions of the Arctic.1