Umiak

This article is about the traditional northern skin-covered boat. For the ice-strengthened bulk carrier, see Umiak I.
Umiak in Barrow, Alaska

The umiak, umialak, umiaq, umiac, oomiac, oomiak, ongiuk, or anyak[1] is a type of open skin boat, used by both Yupik and Inuit, and was originally found in all coastal areas from Siberia to Greenland.[2][3] First used in Thule times, it has traditionally been used in summer, for moving people and possessions to seasonal hunting grounds, and for hunting whales and walrus.[2][4] Although the umiak was usually propelled by oars (women) or paddles (men), sails—sometimes made from seal intestines—were also used, and, in the 20th century, outboard motors.[4][5][6] Because the umiak has no keel, the sails cannot be used for tacking.[7]

  1. ^ Dall, p. 563
  2. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference caen was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Nancy Gates (November 2006). The Alaska Almanac: Facts about Alaska. Graphic Arts Center Publishing Co. pp. 216–. ISBN 978-0-88240-652-7.
  4. ^ a b Umiaks at the Canadian Museum of Civilization
  5. ^ Adney & Chappelle p.190
  6. ^ Adney & Chappelle p.179
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference Petersen2003 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).