Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-hc48f Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-25T16:04:10.539Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Inuit Navigation, Empirical Reasoning and Survival

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 May 1985

Colin Irwin
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

In order to navigate and thereby survive in a hostile environment the Inuit have developed a sophisticated body of knowledge that makes travel possible even during a blizzard or white-out. This unique skill was developed from a thorough understanding of the properties of snow and local meteorology. Problems of space, time and distance are also taken into account by Inuit navigators but this is done with minimal use of quantification and abstraction. However this highly practical form of navigation in which the Inuit deal directly with their environment is none the less scientific and empirical.

In 1971 the author attempted a single-handed sailing of the North West Passage and in 1973 completed a crossing of Arctic North America by dog team.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Navigation , Volume 38 , Issue 2 , May 1985 , pp. 178 - 190
Copyright
Copyright © The Royal Institute of Navigation 1985

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1Thomas, Gladwin (1964). Culture and logical process. In Explorations in Cultural Anthropology, ed. Goodenough, Ward H.. Essays in honour of George Peter Mardock. New York: McGraw-Hill.Google Scholar
2Thomas, Gladwin (1970). East is a Big Bird, Navigation and Logic on Pulawat Atoll. Harvard University Press.Google Scholar
3Williamson, R. G., (1974). Eskimo underground: Socio-cultural change in the Canadian Central Arctic. Institutionen for Allman och Jamforande Etnografi vid Ippsala Universitet, Uppsala.Google Scholar
4Colin, Irwin (1974). Trekking the frozen Northwest Passage. National Geographic 145, 3, 295–321.Google Scholar
5Bagrow, L., (1948). Eskimo maps. Imago Mundi, 5, 92.Google Scholar
6Knud, Rasmussen (1930). Observations on the intellectual culture of the Caribou Eskimos. Report of the Fifth Thule Expedition 1921–1924. VII. 2. Copenhagen: Gyldendalske Boghande.Google Scholar
7David, Lewis (1972). We the Navigators. The Ancient Art of Landjinding in the Pacific. Canberra: National University Press.Google Scholar
8Berry, , John, W. (1966). Temne and Eskimo perceptual skills. International Journal of Psychology, 1, 207.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
9Canadian Hydrographic Service (1970). Pilot of Arctic Canada, col. 1. Marine Sciences Branch, Department of Energy, Mines and Resources, Ottawa.Google Scholar
10Knud, Rasmussen (1931). The Netsilik Eskimos, social life and spiritual culture. Report of the Fifth Thule Expedition, 1921–1924. VII. 1–2. Copenhagen: Gyldendalske Boghandel.Google Scholar
11Spink, J. and Moodie, D. W. (1972). Eskimo Maps from the Canadian Eastern Arctic. Monograph 5. Ed. Heidenreich, ConradGutsell, B. V., Department of Geography, York University, Toronto, Canada.Google Scholar