9999- 253 Model of a Greenland kayak with figure

3D Model

This model is an accurate representation of a Greenland hunting kayak. The clothing of the Inuit figure also shows the range of garments worn when hunting for marine mammals and birds in Arctic regions. The figure is wearing a sealskin ‘parka’ with some of the fur remaining and a garment called an akuilisaq. The akuilisaq is the sleeveless, summer version of a watertight sealskin coat (tuilik) used to keep water out of the kayak if it capsized. On this model there are braces with bone toggles to hold up the akuilisaq. A blunt-ended club-like weapon strapped to the kayak is called a siliktu and was often used to hunt birds, such as geese and sometimes fish and small mammals. The siliktu would cause a knock-out blow to the animal without damaging the flesh. The harpoon was a common weapon used in hunting larger mammals, such as seals and whales.

This model was brought to you with help from Museums Galleries Scotland as part of the ‘Exploring the Ship Model Collection at the McManus’ project.