The Inuit of
the Arctic can be described as a traditional economy considering they follow the
customs and traditions from their past passed on by elders. Knowing that it is
extremely cold in the Arctic, it is obvious that one is not able to plant
vegetation. Therefore, eating meat is their main source of diet. The Inuit of
the arctic are located in areas such as Northern Canada, Siberia and Greenland.
HOW TO PRODUCE?
HOW TO PRODUCE?
This picture shows how the Inuit would fish for food using harpoon heads. Also the clothing that they are wearing is made from animal fur. |
Shelter,
food and winter are the three main problems for the Inuit society. They solved
their winter problems by using animal fur or skin to make coats and jackets.
Caribou was one of their main sources of clothing as well as food. The Inuit
use a special knife name Ulu for skinning animals providing them clothing for
the harsh winter. Most of the items that the Inuit use are made out of bone,
ivory, antlers, teeth, and horns. The two key tools that the Inuit used for
their hunting are knifes (stone and bone), spears, bow and arrows. The Inuit
used spears, bow and arrows for hunting various land animals for example polar
bear. On the other hand, these tools are useless for marine animal therefore
they used implements such as harpoon heads. Knifes were mainly used for cutting
meat, snow and ice. Constructing shelter was one of the most difficult tasks
for the Inuit of arctic. They used ice to make igloos temporarily for fishing.
Although, some Inuit use igloos as a permanent solution to shelter. They also
made stone houses covered with whale and animal skin to provide warmth.
The
forces that define the method of production is survival. Most of the
items that the Inuit produce is related to survival. There are only few item
made for luxury. Their method of production is outdated now and not as efficient. The Inuit of
the arctic rely mostly on cultural and traditional method therefore there is
very less development. It is essential for every member of the family to pitch
in considering each and every member relies on the other. The father and son do
mostly the hunting and skinning. Whereas the mother and daughter skin the
animals, prepare the food and other different related tasks. Now each member
relies on the other for example the whole family needs clothing but if the
father of the family is not able to hunt enough animal than it is going to be a
harsh winter. Similarly if the mother is not able to skin the animals the
result is same. Therefore every member of the family relies on the other.
WHAT TO PRODUCE?
Most of the materials and things produced by
the natives were only for survival and usually no surpluses are left. The
materials they produced are
- · knifes
- · spears
- · coat
- · Jacket
- · Boots
- · Necklaces
- · Hats
- · bow and arrows
- · igloos
- · stone houses
- · fishing equipment
Each family only produces for their own
survival therefore they are not effective in meeting the needs of the
individual in the society. There are few natural resources in the arctic
which do not include rivers, arable land. Therefore they use ice and animals as
their resources to survive. The Inuit of the arctic valued each item
according to its type. For example they would trade food for food and clothes
for clothes. Whereas when trading with different groups and societies, the
Inuit would value metal the most considering it is stronger and harder than
bone and ivory. Inuit would have to travel long distance to trade as a result
they decided upon a central place where it is easy to reach.
HOW TO DISTRIBUTE?
Things are mostly produced for survival and surplus
is traded off in return of something else. The father of the family mainly
determines who gets what and in some cases the leader of the tribe. The surplus are either traded off or saved
for the next winter in some cases. This is because the main goal for the Inuit
is surviving therefore any surplus that are left have to be traded off in order
to gain something that in shortage among the family.