Pulk

Type of sled From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A pulk (Norwegian: pulk, Swedish: pulka, Finnish: pulkka; Northern Sami: bulki; from Sami languages: pul'hkē) is originally a Nordic term for a low-slung boat-like sled, sometimes without runners, capable of being pulled by hand on foot or skis, or by light draft animals such as dogs or reindeer.[1][2] A toboggan could be called a pulk. They are classically made out of wood and other natural materials but are nowadays made of plastic, which makes them inexpensive.

  • Upper left: Pulk pulled by a skier
  • Upper right: Kid on a toy pulk
  • Lower left: Adult and child pulling toy pulks uphill
  • Lower right: Small skiing pulk with harness

Pulks are originally meant to carry supplies such as a tent or food, or transport a child or other person. In Norway, Finland and Sweden, pulks are often used by parents to pull small children on skiing trips. In Finland and Sweden, pulks exist as a winter toy, mainly for children, for going downhill.

Akja

A larger pulk, designed for transporting larger amounts of goods, is called a akja (Finnish: ahkio [ɑhkio]; Swedish: ackja; German: Akja, Akia). The term stems from older Sami akio, akje and Finnish: ahkio, akkio, akkia, which in turn is a borrowing from Proto-Norse, cognate with Swedish: äcka, Icelandic: ekja, "driving, fording", to the root ak (Swedish: åk), "drive, ford, ride", ultimately related to "act".[3]

Listed old Sami synonyms includes: geres, kerres, låkkek and pulka.[3]

  • German "boat akja" (Boots-Akja) during World War II
    German "boat akja" (Boots-Akja) during World War II
  • German "weapon akja" (Waffen-Akja) during World War II
    German "weapon akja" (Waffen-Akja) during World War II
  • German "plywood akja" (Sperrholz-Akja) blueprint
    German "plywood akja" (Sperrholz-Akja) blueprint

Slider

Saucers and pulks being ridden in Visby, Sweden

In the Nordic countries, toy pulks made of plastic are very common for winter recreation. They typically hold 1–2 children and have footrests on the front.

There are various derivatives of the plastic toy pulk. In English, such are typically referred to as "sliders" in various compunds, etc.[4] Some classic examples includes:

Gallery

  • Reindeer pulled pulk
    Reindeer pulled pulk
  • Sami with wooden pulk
    Sami with wooden pulk
  • Pulk pulled by a skier
    Pulk pulled by a skier
  • US Army pulks
    US Army pulks
  • Pulk with sail
    Pulk with sail
  • Swedish Army pulks
    Swedish Army pulks
  • Wooden pulk in museum
    Wooden pulk in museum
  • Snowshoers with pulled pulks
    Snowshoers with pulled pulks
  • Skier with pulk
    Skier with pulk

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pulka.

References

External links

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