Culture
national Costumes
Kalaallisut
The Greenlandic national costumes are colorful and handmade. They are a very difficult and exhausting thing to make . Also a part of the uniform is made of seal and polar bear skin.
On the photo below you can one version. It is called Kalaallisut and it comes from Western Greenland. We had a chane to try it on in our host family in the capital city Nuuk.
From my personal experience' I believe that they are a bit uncomfortable to wear but it worths the hardship' says Stamatia .
Written by Carla, France and Stamatia, Greece
Arnatuut
In the old days Greenlanic people used costumes every day, but now they are only used for special events like confirmation (confirmation is a process that children do at the age of 14 so they can confirm their christianity) .It takes about a year to be prepared and if somebody needs a costume they can rent it too.
Arnatuut is the name of this costume and it comes from the northern side of Greenland, from the city called Qaarnaaq.
written by Carla from France and Stamatea from Greece
Religion
Christianity and Protestantism
The religion of most people in Greenland now is Christianity, the largest part of the population is protestants . This religion was brought here by the Dannish coloniststs in the 18th century. They celebrate Christmas, Easter, Angel Days, Confirmation and Baptizing.
written by Carla from France and Stamatia from Greece.
Inuit spiritual beliefs
Religion in the old days was about myths and tales and Inuits believed in those too. These stattues are called TUPILAK, they come from myths of the old days, they inspire euphoria .Originally ,the Tupilak was an evil spirit ,which was nourished and sent after the enemy ,made of earthly remains from various dead animals .The spirit appeared in many different forms .The Tupilak could emerge walking, creeping, crawling or swimming .
written by Carla from France and Stamatea from Grece.
Christmas stars everywhere
There is a wonderful tradition in Greenland, which apperantly comes from Dennmark: to decorate windows with Christmas stars. What a great view to see all the windows lit up with stars. It really helps to feel the Christmas spirit.
written by Carla from France and Stamatea from Greece.
Personality
Greenlandic people are very quiet, and shy, but when you become close to them, they turn out to be very loving and caring. They give you many hugs. And they smile all the time!
The studenst enjoy much liberty. They can eat in class or use their mobile phones but there is also much respect betwen the students and the teachers.
Before visiting Greenland we thought that people there would be outlandish and a little isolated but they were actually very willing to help and warm-hearted.Moreover, their hospitality was remarkable and they were very friendly and kind . Their energy was amazing and they made us feel like home!!
written by Carla from France and Stamatea from Grece
FOOD
Mattak
Mattak is whale skin and it is a tratidional food in Greenland.
In Greenland people eat it for special events.
Mattak is very hard to chew and it is eaten raw.
written by Carla from France and Stamatea from Grece.
Seal
Seal can be eaten in two ways: raw and boiled.
It is a traditional food that people eat for special events.
Seal smells like fish but it is meat.
written by Carla from France and Stamatea from Grece.
Reindeer
Reindeer is a food that greenlandic people eat very often. It is also used in special cases but not as a traditional food.
When someone goes hunting he can shoot five reindeers and in a whole year maybe twenty.
written by Carla from France and Stamatea from Grece.
language
Bilingual nation
The Greenlandic people speak two different languages, the Danish and the Greenlandic . They use them daily, alternating these two languages in class , at home or in the market... We had the opportunity to speak in Greenlandic and learn some words. The Greenlandic language was very difficult but we managed not only to speak and remember the words afterwards.
The sound of the Greenlandic language: AnSo talking in class
written by Carla from France and Stamatea from Grece.
our cultural discoveries in the
national museum of nuuk
at the christmas market
Here you can find hand-made crafts and decorations.
