Never underestimate women. Especially the Alaskan women. They will always outthink you. And they really have. Ulu itself is proof of it.
We all face difficulty working in the kitchen. Especially when our knives don’t do their job in the best way. The same happened with the Inuit women. But they didn’t give up.
Instead, they came up with something that didn’t only replace the kitchen knives but also helped them with their other routine works.
Origin
Ulu is basically a traditional kitchen utensil. English meaning of the word “Ulu” is “Woman’s Knife” as it was first discovered and used by the Inuit women in 2500 BCE.
Materials Used in Making Ulu
Back then, the stuff used to make ulu handle was either reindeer’s antlers, walrus tusks or musk ox horns. As there was a lack of smelting metal in the Arctic, so to make the blade they used slate that was easily available. And just to add a fancy look in their ulu, they also used the jade blades and precious stones.
Today, the handle of ulu is either wood or plastic and the blade is made of steel. But just to pass on the tradition, those antlers and horns are also being used.
Uses of ULU
Initially, ulu was made for a single purpose that was cutting and chopping the meat. But you can use it for a number of different purposes.
Following are some of the many things ULU knives are used for.
1. Skinning and Cleaning the Animals and Vegetables
Throughout the centuries, ulu is being used to skin the animals. Its extra-sharp blades make it easier to separate the muscles from the bone. Thus, it helps in cleaning the meat.
Skinning and carving vegetables with ulu might seem a little difficult but the ancient woman has used it for that purpose too.
2. Cutting the Bones
As we know, the hardest part of the body is the bone. Not any regular knife can do the job of cutting it. But with the help of ulu, you can easily break the bone in two.
3. As a Weapon
The Inuit women have also been using the ulu for their protection from the wild animals. Apart from protection, men have also used the ulu for hunting purposes.
4. Building Igloos
Ulu has a great role in making igloos. The ice blocks are too hard to cut with ordinary tools. But the Alaskan people have found ulu strong and sharp enough to trim the blocks of ice that they used to build the igloos.
5. Trimming Hair
Odd enough, Alaskan people have also been using ulu to trim children’s hair. You may find it a little bit difficult to do so, but they really have been using it as a hair styling tool.
6. Used as a Steak Knife
It may seem a little bit off-fashioned because you can’t put ulu on your modern table. But ulu can be a great replacement for steak knives if you haven’t got them.
This is because ulu produces a rocking motion when you cut something on a plate or a board and is also very easy to handle with one hand.
7. As a Medal
Due to their importance as a cultural symbol, the ulus are also presented to the people who have done significant things. They are not just any ordinary ulus but are made from gold, silver, and bronze.
Styles
The uluit knives come in four basic styles. The main feature that distinguishes all the uluit is the design of their blades.
1. Alaska or Iñupiat Style
This one is the original style of ulu. In Inuit style ulu, the blade is cut out form the center and both ends are fitted into the handle.
2. Canadian Style
In Canadian style, instead of both ends, the center stem of the blade is attached to the handle and it gives a look of the pendulum.
3. West Greenlandic Style
In West Greenlandic style blade is attached from the center just like above, but the shape of the blade is triangular.
4. East Greenlandic Style
This one also has its blade attached to the center but its blade is pointed one.
Conclusion
Ulu is no doubt an awesome utensil. It not only does its job in the kitchen but also helps you in a lot of other ways. If you can’t find scissors to trim your kid’s hair, ulu will be there for you.
Check More: Best Nakiri Knife
I agree the invention of Inuit women is really appreciable!
Hi, I’m a clinical psychologist and inclined towards best buying practices for home and kitchen things. Critical towards choosing the best product and honest with my feedback. I’m a seasoned writer having more than 4 years of experience in multiple niches as well.
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