Inuit Clothing
Dalgety describes in detail the appearance and attire of the Inuit he met in southwest Greenland. In his journal, particular attention is devoted to women's clothing, which often seems to have incorporated both local and Western European elements. He remarks that in Godhavn the 'natives' show a "goodish mixture of European blood." (Dalgety, 8 June 1934).
Inuit clothing across the Arctic is designed to insulate the wearer and protect them from the enviroment. Decorative elements, however, differ from community to community and even from family to family (Issenman 2000, 199). Common decoration includes geometric shapes composed of beads, bits of leather, or embroidery (Issenman 2000, 184-186). Triangle or tooth motifs are especially prevalent in traditional Greenland dress. The designs are often stylized to some degree and can vary greatly; similar items can therefore exhibit a wide range of artistic expression.
P.87766.PAT (MAA). Greenlanders in traditional summer clothes. Nutarmiut, Greenland.
Source: T.T. Paterson, Photographer: M. H. W. Ritchie.
