The
umiak,
umialak,
umiaq,
umiac,
oomiac,
oomiak,
ongiuk, or
anyak is a type of open skin
boat used by both
Yupik and
Inuit, and was originally found in all coastal areas from
Siberia to
Greenland. First arising in
Thule times, it has traditionally been used in summer to move people and possessions to seasonal hunting grounds and for hunting
whales and
walrus. Although the umiak was usually propelled by oars (women) or paddles (men), sails--sometimes made from seal
intestines--were also used, and in the 20th century,
outboard motors.