parka

Inuit material cultureNunivak man wearing a fur parka while carving a tusk, photograph by Edward S. Curtis, c. 1929.

parka, hip-length, hooded jacket traditionally made of caribou, seal, or other fur, worn as an outer garment by Arctic peoples.

The modern parka is often adapted for such sports as skiing. It is usually made of synthetic, water-repellent material, often filled with batting or goose or duck down for warmth.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Elizabeth Prine Pauls.
Citation Information
Article Title: parka
Website Name: Encyclopaedia Britannica
Publisher: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
Date Published: 29 November 2010
Access Date: April 16, 2025