The interior of the iglu
is divided into side benches and a rear platform that forms the bed. The side
benches and bed are of snow. The bed surface is insulated with wood — often
paddles and tent poles — followed by a layer of shrubs and heavy caribou
skins. The lamp, cooking frame, pots, and tools are set up on the side benches.
The interior wall of the iglu is sometimes lined with
the skin of the summer tent. The skin lining acts as a barrier so that the air
next to the wall remains colder than the internal air and therefore helps to prevent
the walls from melting.
This sculpture displays the interior layout of the iglu with the side benches
and rear platform. The female figure, lamp trimmer in hand, tends to the lamp
flame that provides interior heat as well as heat for cooking. In addition to
the lamp, this interior setting displays the tools and equipment common to household
tasks: cooking pot, cooking frame, ulu, scraper, and serving dishes. |
