Greenland: Strengthening indigenous identity through art

Artisan Sara Marie L. Berthelsen from the Greenlandic capital of Nuuk specializes in making and embroidering traditional sealskin kamik boots, which are an important part of Greenlandic costume. Berthelsen says she learned her craft skills from her grandmother. “For me it’s very important to keep the traditional way of making kamik,” she told DW, adding that the survival of the Inuit depends on women. The high-quality Kamik boots provide waterproof footwear for hunting in the snow.

Today, the Greenlandic costume is worn on special occasions such as weddings and graduations. For Sara Marie L. Berthelsen, that’s not enough: “My dream is that the children in Greenland wear kamiks every day again,” she says. The artisan has a lot to do. In Greenland, the demand for the traditional costume is growing, especially among young people, who are increasingly expressing political desires for national independence. “Young people are becoming more and more proud of being Greenlanders. Many want to leave the colonial ties behind and are enthusiastic about the traditional costumes,” says Berthelsen.

A long colonial history

Greenland is now a self-governing, autonomous island territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. The arctic country’s colonial past began with the Danish-Norwegian priest Hans Egede, who arrived in 1721 to proselytize the people there. Greenland remained a Danish colony until 1953, and since 1979 Greenland has been an autonomous state within the Kingdom of Denmark. It has its own government and parliament, but many Greenlanders continue to fight for independence.

Historical and political tensions also affect art, as the Danish authorities are often accused of suppressing Greenlandic art and culture and indigenous identity. Such tensions also come into play in art. During the Danish colonial rule, the Inuit culture was suppressed, which also weakened the transmission from generation to generation – effects of which can still be felt today. For example, the Inuit practice of tattooing, which the missionaries tried to eradicate, is only now beginning to re-establish itself on a larger scale.

New books tell of the traditions of the indigenous people

Maria Paninguak Kjærulff is a visual artist, writer and illustrator from Nuuk. Her latest project, a children’s book, aims to honor and celebrate Inuit culture and traditions. She sees art as “a way of expressing cultural identity and leaving a personal fingerprint”.

The story is about a Greenlandic girl who embarks on an adventure to discover her values ​​and abilities and meets interesting friends along the way. The book addresses universal themes such as staying true to yourself. “It’s important to me that the children here in Greenland have a universe they can identify with that features a Greenlandic girl and that was written by a native Greenlander,” Paninguak Kjærulff told DW. “It is important for Inuit artists to make art as it involves our perspectives.” The story takes place in a “cozy and ordinary” Greenlandic home but contains Inuit cultural and traditional elements. “When I started, it was a revelation to me that I have a voice. I have control over everything in the universe I create, and I hope to create a welcoming, warm universe,” she says.

Tradition with a modern twist

Sascha Blidorf is a jewelry designer from Qaqortoq, South Greenland. She brings a modern touch to her work: “I’m inspired by the colors of Greenlandic nature. It’s a mix of modern and traditional style,” she says. “My art means that I can show my indigenous identity in a more modern way that fits this modern world, without forgetting my culture and my origins. It is extremely important for me to show our art and to keep making it “, she emphasizes. The artisan sells her products worldwide through social media platforms such as Instagram. Her pieces can be worn as part of the costume or as part of everyday clothing.

“Making pearl jewelry is part of our history,” says Blidorf. The pelts and skins used for Greenlandic jewelry and clothing usually come from hunted animals. “We don’t kill animals to make jewelry, we kill them to eat them. In our culture we respect nature and animals, and when we kill animals we use all parts of it,” she explains. Arts and crafts “mean a lot to us and strengthen the Greenlandic Inuit culture,” Blidorf continues. “The indigenous Inuit were told to ‘forget’ their culture because of colonialism. But through arts and crafts we can never forget where we came from and who we are.”

Inuit art flourishes

There is no historical tradition of pottery making in Greenland. But potter Nuuna Papis Chemnitz hopes to change that. The craftswoman started pottery as a hobby and soon after opened a studio in Nuuk.

“I love making pottery to show our Inuit culture and art in a different way that hasn’t been shown before,” Papis Chemnitz told DW. “I think it’s important for me and other Inuit to show something that we left behind to be westernized. I love that I can combine the western material with pottery and Inuit art,” she says.

Traditionally, the Inuit used Greenland’s soapstone or walrus ivory to create art, the craftswoman explains. Kitchenware was mostly made of driftwood from Canada or stone. Cutlery was not introduced until much later. “My mother didn’t use a knife and fork until she was seven years old. Before that she used the ulu (traditional women’s kitchen knife, note d. editor)”, she says.

The ceramic artist paints or carves Inuit-inspired motifs such as the qulliq – a traditional lamp – into her works. The Qulliq symbolizes family, gatherings and warmth – or the harpoon meant to ensure a successful hunt.

Papis Chemnitz also uses earth and mud from the glacial river to create special Inuit tattoo-inspired dots on her works. “Inuit symbols are unique. Inuit dots give us good thoughts and help us remember something special, like our grandparents, ancestors or our marriage,” she explains.

The potter is confident that Inuit art will take root in an increasingly connected world.

“The world has gotten smaller; we now see our connection with other Inuit, and that strengthens our art,” she says. “The art of the Inuit has been hidden for many years, but it is just beginning to flourish.”

Children’s book artist Paninguak Kjærulff agrees: “There is so much potential for us Inuit in Greenland to tell our own stories; I really hope we can be even more proud of what we have to offer.”

Adaptation from English: Rayna Breuer