seiglu

Seiglu is a term used in some contexts to refer to a traditional snow shelter built by Arctic peoples, a concept commonly known in English as an igloo. The term appears in various languages and may describe the same basic form of shelter, though usage and spelling vary by region.

Construction involves shaping blocks of compacted snow into a dome or tunnel vault. Snow’s insulating properties help keep the interior relatively warm compared to the outside environment. A small entrance passage reduces heat exchange, and some designs include an inner air pocket or partition to improve warmth and limit drafts. Inside, the space may be arranged with a simple sleeping area and a snow or ice floor.

Historically, seiglu-like shelters served as temporary winter dwellings and emergency shelters for Inuit, Kalaallit, and other Arctic communities during hunts, travel, or periods of harsh weather. The design emphasizes rapid construction, good insulation, and the ability to be dismantled or abandoned as conditions or routes change.

In modern times, the concept persists in culture and tourism. Contemporary variants range from larger, multi-room igloos to glass-roofed structures used for aurora viewing in Arctic regions and Lapland. While not all snow shelters are called seiglu, the term remains associated with the traditional practices of building with snow and ice to adapt to extreme cold.