Inuit games
Alluniartaq, also nuqartaq
Igloo “High Bar.”
Played inside an igloo. A rope is suspended from the ice window, sometimes in a loop, sometimes two ropes with loops at the end. This allows various athletic games to be
played, hanging by the legs, sitting, turning over, etc.
Arsiqattaaq, also nillinasaaliurniq
“Trying not to talk”
Flagpole Climbing
A game sponsored by the trading companies at Christmas in which competitors would win one-hundred or two-hundred dollar bills placed up a flagpole.
Hiutimigaaq
Ear-pulling contest with two people using a long loop of string.
Inuujaq
“Resembles a person” Playing with dolls.
Nattiujaq
“Pretending to be a seal.”
Snowmobile races
Modern, cross-arctic.
Tiklotut (Rasmussen), tigluutiniq (Igloolik)
Test of strength and endurance. Two opponents hit each other in turn, on the chest, shoulders, or face, with fist.
Ugguqattautigasuarniq
“Trying to trip each other”. Two players, standing back-to-back, each trying to make the other fall by tripping.
- From a fascinating list of Inuit games (pdf) found at the The Winnipeg Art Gallery.
- Anne