Annuraaq: Arctic Clothing from Igloolik

15 February - 27 May 2001

www.british-museum.ac.uk

more culture >>>

Clothing both sustains and expresses Inuit identity. Its importance remains, although now largely replaced by store-bought clothing. Not only are certain kinds of traditional clothing still preferred over fabric-made garments, but the making and use of clothing plays a significant role in keeping alive Inuit cultural values and knowledge. Much of the information in the exhibition was recorded from Inuit elders by the Nunavut Research Institute˘s Igloolik Research Centre, and the Inullariit Elders˘ Society, Igloolik.

The display will include both contemporary and historic clothing and tools from across the Canadian Arctic, some of which were collected by William E. Parry in the 1820s during his search for the Northwest Passage, as well as comparative examples from Alaska and Greenland. Note to Editors BP is supporting the work of the Ethnography Department through BP Ethnography Showcase. The programme, which includes exhibitions, acquisitions, lectures, publications and fieldwork, enables visitors to gain a greater insight into the history and development of some of the world˘s most fascinating cultural traditions.

Fig.:

2) These man's trousers from Smiths Sound, Canada, are made of polar bear fur, which is very warm, and thus one of the preferred materials for making winter clothing. MM001363 İThe British Museum