Inuit Dance Clothing

CMC S95-24792; PCD 94-743-013

Dance hat; Copper Inuit; Coronation Gulf, Northwest Territories, 1914-1916; caribou skin, sealskin, loon beak, ermine skin, sinew. CMC IV-D-977

Man's hoodless dance coat; Copper Inuit (Kilusiktormiut); Coronation Gulf, Northwest Territories, 1914-1916; caribou skin, sealskin, sinew.CMC IV-D-964

Man's dance pants; Copper Inuit; Victoria Island, Northwest Territories, 1925-1926; caribou skin, sealskin, sinew. CMC IV-D-1877

Dance boots; Copper Inuit; probably Victoria Island, Northwest Territories, 1915-1916; caribou skin, sealskin, sinew. CMC IV-D-1151 a,b

Drum dances took place in large snowhouses built to hold up to sixty people. Dances welcomed travelling groups and friends or celebrated a successful hunt. Accompanying the dancers was a drum that was the property of the community. Drumming and dancing were complemented by songs that recorded all aspects of daily life. On these occasions the Copper Inuit wore decorative dance garments.

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