The Interviews - Related Artwork from Cape Dorset Collection
In an igloo there would be a porch made from snow as well. There
would be a small lamp in the porch, as well as a QULLIQ known as an ALLIQ
at the floor level near the entrance for light. Of course, there would be
QULLIQ on both sides of the dwelling.
The QULLIQ in the porch only served the purpose of giving light, not heat.
It was for lighting in the porch. This QULLIQ would not be fully lit, but
lit enough to keep the flame going. Of course it would not be used during
the day, since its only purpose was to light in the porch, so it would be
lit only at night.
.......from another interview
Another thing is also when we are on a journey when we get ready to spend
the night we would have to do chores including getting our QULLIQ ready
by fueling them. First you would have to pound on the blubber as you get
ready to fuel the QULLIQ.
All the things that you would need in the Igloo would be gathered close
to the entrance, including the QULLIQ. All of these things would be placed
within reach so that it would be only a matter of reaching them and taking
them inside. The person who is making the Igloo would make the walls of
the Igloo while you filled in the holes between the blocks. Once the enclosure
had been completed and all the holes filled, then all of the things that
are needed inside for the night were brought in. Despite the fact that it
may be a little cold, once all of the things are being brought in you would
start to arrange the bedding. Then the QULLIQ is put in place. Then you
light it up.
The interior of the Igloo is so cold and the soapstone QULLIQ is so frozen
that it will not remain lit. It tends to use up the fuel. It is difficult
to get the fire going in your QULLIQ because the lamp itself is frozen.
You would make every effort to keep the fire to the fuel and you try to
keep the fire going. Finally you would be able to get the streak of wick
lit up. When that happens then you are going to place the pegs in place
for the QULLIQ's stand and put ice in the pot that you are going to hang
in place over the QULLIQ to melt for water. The only way you are going to
get hot water is by this QULLIQ. Only then you will finally get something
to eat.
