 | |
 Schoolchildren walk with their teacher inIlulissat, Greenland, with icebergs from theIlulissat Icefjord visible in the background. | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
 c. 56,583[1](2022 estimate) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Greenlandic diaspora: c. 19,505 | |
 Greenland | 56,583[1] |
 Denmark | 18,563[2] |
 United States | 352[3] |
 Norway | 293[4] |
 Faroe Islands | 163[5] |
 Iceland | 65[6] |
 Canada | 55[7] |
 Netherlands | 14[8] |
| Languages | |
| Greenlandic,Danish,English | |
| Religion | |
| Lutheranism (Church of Greenland)[9] SeeReligion in Greenland | |
Greenlanders (Greenlandic:Kalaallit), also calledGreenlandics orGreenlandic people,[10] are anInuit ethnic group native toGreenland. They speakGreenlandic, anEskaleut language.
Greenland is anautonomous territory within theDanish Realm, and its citizens holdDanish nationality. In 986,Erik the Red led Norse settlers to Greenland's southwest coast, where they coexisted with indigenous cultures. Greenland came underNorwegian rule in 1261 and later became part of theKalmar Union in 1397.[11] From the 16th to 18th centuries, European expeditions led byPortugal,Denmark–Norway,[12] and missionaries likeHans Egede, sought Greenland for trade, sovereignty, and the rediscovery of lost Norse settlements, ultimately leading to Danish colonization.
Greenlanders possessDanish nationality. The Danish Realm, including Greenland, joined theEuropean Communities, the predecessor to the European Union, in 1973. However, after gaininghome rule in 1979, Greenlandheld a referendum in 1982 in which the majority voted to leave the Communities. As a result, Greenland officially withdrew from the European Communities in 1985.[13] Although Greenland is no longer part of the European Union, it maintains a specialrelationship through its status as anOverseas Country and Territory. As Danish citizens, Greenlanders have the same rights tofreedom of movement within the EU, allowing them to live and work freely in member states.
In prehistoric times, Greenland was inhabited by severalPaleo-Inuit cultures, identified primarily through archaeological discoveries. The first known entry of the Paleo-Inuit into Greenland occurred around 2500 BC. From 2500 BC to 800 BC, theSaqqaq culture thrived in southern and western Greenland, with most remains found nearDisko Bay.[14][15]
Simultaneously, theIndependence I culture existed in northern Greenland from 2400 BC to 1300 BC as part of theArctic small tool tradition,[16][17][18] with settlements such asDeltaterrasserne emerging. Around 800 BC, the Saqqaq culture disappeared, and emerged the EarlyDorset culture in western Greenland and theIndependence II culture in the north.[19] The Dorset culture, the first to spread across Greenland's coastal regions in both the east and west, lasted until theThule culture's dominance by AD 1500. Dorset communities primarily relied on huntingwhales andreindeer for sustenance.[20][21][22][23]
In 986,Icelanders andNorwegians, led byErik the Red with 14 boats, established settlements along Greenland's west coast. These settlements, theEastern,Western, andMiddle Settlements, were located on fjords near the island's southwestern tip.[24][25] At the time, the Norse settlers shared Greenland with the late Dorset culture in the northern and western regions and later with the Thule culture, which migrated from the north. In 1261, Norse Greenlanders came under Norwegian rule as part of theKingdom of Norway.[11] Norway entered a personal union with Denmark in 1380, and Greenland subsequently became part of theKalmar Union in 1397.[26]
The Norse settlements, includingBrattahlíð, thrived for several centuries before vanishing in the 15th century, possibly due to the onset of theLittle Ice Age.[27] Aside from a few runic inscriptions, the only surviving contemporary records of the Norse settlements are accounts of their contact with Iceland and Norway. Medieval Norwegian sagas and historical texts document aspects of Greenland's economy, the bishops ofGarðar, and the collection oftithes. Additionally, theKonungs skuggsjá (Old Norse: "King's mirror") contains a chapter describing Norse Greenland's exports, imports, and attempts at grain cultivation.
Icelandic sagas about life in Greenland were written in the 13th century or later and are not considered primary sources for early Norse Greenland,[28] though they are closer to primary sources for later Norse Greenland. Modern understanding of Norse Greenland relies primarily on archaeological evidence.Ice-core and clam-shell data suggest that between AD 800 and 1300, southern Greenland's fjord regions experienced a relatively mild climate, several degrees warmer than usual for the North Atlantic.[29] This allowed for the growth of trees andherbaceous plants,livestock farming, andbarley cultivation near the 70th parallel.[30] Ice cores also reveal that Greenland has undergone significant temperature fluctuations over the past 100,000 years.[31]The Icelandic Book of Settlements also records harsh winters, with famines reportedly leading to the killing of "the old and helpless" which "were killed and thrown over cliffs".[29]
The Norse settlements in Greenland disappeared during the 14th and early 15th centuries.[32] The decline of the Western Settlement coincided with a significant drop in both summer and winter temperatures. Research on North Atlantic temperature variability during the Little Ice Age indicates that maximum summer temperatures began to decrease around the early 14th century, dropping by as much as 6 to 8 °C (11 to 14 °F) below modern summer averages.[33] Additionally, the coldest winter temperatures in 2,000 years occurred during the late 14th and early 15th centuries. The Eastern Settlement is believed to have been abandoned in the early to mid-15th century, likely as a result of these harsh climatic conditions.
Archaeological excavations atHerjolfsnes in the 1920s revealed evidence suggesting that the Norse population in Greenland may have experienced malnutrition. This could have been caused bysoil erosion, linked to the Norsemen's farming practices, turf-cutting, and deforestation, as well as a decline in temperatures during the Little Ice Age, the impact ofpandemic plagues,[34] or conflicts with theSkrælings (a Norse term for the Inuit, meaning "wretches"[27]). However, more recent archaeological studies question the extent of the Norse colonization's environmental damage, suggesting traces of soil improvement strategies.[35] It is now believed that the settlements, never exceeding about 2,500 people, were gradually abandoned in the 15th century, partly due to the declining value ofwalrus ivory,[36] once a key export, amid competition from higher-quality sources. Evidence of widespread starvation or severe hardship remains limited.[37]
The Thule people are the ancestors of the modern Greenlandic population, with no genetic links to the Paleo-Inuit found in the current population.[38] The Thule culture migrated eastward from present-day Alaska around 1000 AD, reaching Greenland by approximately 1300. They introduced significant technological advancements to the region, includingdog sleds andtoggling harpoons.
There is an Inuit account of contact and conflict with the Norse settlers, republished inThe Norse Atlantic Sagas by Gwyn Jones. Jones notes a possible Norse account of the same event, though its authenticity is considered more uncertain.
In 1500, KingManuel I of Portugal dispatchedGaspar Corte-Real to Greenland to search for aNorthwest Passage to Asia, as theTreaty of Tordesillas placed Greenland within Portugal's sphere of influence. In 1501, Gaspar returned with his brotherMiguel Corte-Real, but frozen seas forced them southward toLabrador andNewfoundland. Their cartographic findings contributed to theCantino planisphere, created in Lisbon in 1502, which accurately depicted Greenland's southern coastline.[39]
From 1605 to 1607, KingChristian IV of Denmark and Norway organizedexpeditions to reestablish contact with Greenland's lost Norse settlements and affirm sovereignty over the island. Despite the efforts, including the participation of English explorerJames Hall as pilot, these missions were largely unsuccessful due to harsh Arctic conditions and the near-inaccessibility of Greenland's east coast, where they mistakenly searched.
After the disappearance of the Norse settlements, Inuit groups controlled Greenland. However, Denmark-Norway maintained its claims, rooted in Norse history. In 1721, missionaryHans Egede led a joint mercantile and religious expedition to Greenland, seeking to reestablish contact with any remaining Norse descendants. Though no Norse communities remained, this mission marked the beginning ofDenmark's colonization of the Americas. The colony, centered at Godthåb (modern Nuuk), restricted trade to Danish merchants and excluded foreign influence. Egede eventually returned to Denmark, leaving his sonPaul Egede to continue the mission.
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When the union between the crowns of Denmark and Norway dissolved in 1814, theTreaty of Kiel assigned Norway's former colonies, including Greenland, to the Danish monarch. In July 1931, Norway occupied the then-uninhabited eastern Greenland, naming itErik the Red's Land, on the basis that it wasterra nullius. The dispute between Norway and Denmark was brought before thePermanent Court of International Justice in 1933, which ruled in favor of Denmark.[40]
Greenland's connection to Denmark was disrupted on 9 April 1940, duringWorld War II, when Denmark wasoccupied byNazi Germany. On 8 April 1941, the United States occupied Greenland to protect it from potential German invasion.[41] The U.S. occupation lasted until the end of the war in 1945. During this time, Greenland tradedcryolite from theIvittuut mine to acquire goods from the U.S. and Canada. The U.S. military usedBluie as a codename for Greenland,[42] establishing several bases, includingBluie West-1 atNarsarsuaq andBluie West-8 atKangerlussuaq, which remain major international airports today.
During the war, Greenland's governance changed. GovernorEske Brun assumed control under a 1925 Danish law allowing governors to act independently in extreme circumstances. Meanwhile, Governor Aksel Svane relocated to the U.S. to oversee Greenland's supply commission. The DanishSirius Patrol guarded northeastern Greenland, using dog sleds to detect German weather stations, which were subsequently destroyed by American forces. Notably, after Nazi Germany's collapse,Albert Speer briefly considered escaping to Greenland but ultimately surrendered to theUnited States Armed Forces.[43]
Before 1940, Greenland was a protected and isolated society under Denmark's strict trade monopoly, allowing only limitedbarter trade with British whalers. Wartime experiences fostered a sense of self-reliance, as Greenland managed its own governance and external communication. However, in 1946, the highest Greenlandic council, the Landsrådene, recommended gradual reform rather than radical changes. A grand commission initiated in 1948 presented its findings in 1950 (known as G-50), advocating for the development of a modern welfare state, modeled on Denmark's example and with Danish support. In 1953, Greenland became an equal part of the Danish Kingdom, and in 1979, it was granted home rule.
TheAmerican presence in Greenland introducedSears catalogs, enabling Greenlanders and Danes to purchase modernhome appliances and other goods by mail.[44] From 1948 to 1950, theGreenland Commission assessed the island's conditions, focusing on its isolation, unequal laws, and economic stagnation. This evaluation led to the abolition of theRoyal Greenland Trading Department's monopolies. In 1953, Greenland's status shifted from a colony to anautonomous province within the Danish Realm. Greenland also gained its ownDanish county and, despite its small population, was granted representation in theDanish Folketing (parliament).
Denmark implemented reforms to urbanize Greenlanders, aiming to reduce dependence on declining seal populations and to provide labor for expanding cod fisheries. These reforms also sought to improve healthcare, education, and transportation. However, they introduced challenges such as modern unemployment and poorly planned housing projects, notablyBlok P. These European-style apartments proved impractical, with Inuit struggling to navigate narrow doors in winter clothing, and fire escapes often blocked by fishing equipment.[45] Television broadcasts began in 1982, but economic hardships worsened after the collapse of cod fisheries and mines in the late 1980s and early 1990s, leaving Greenland reliant on Danish aid and shrimp exports.
State-owned enterprises remain central to the economy. Subsidized companies likeAir Greenland and theArctic Umiaq ferry are essential for connecting remote communities. The primary airport is still theformer U.S. air base atKangerlussuaq, as Nuuk'sairport cannot accommodate international flights due to cost and noise limitations.
Greenland’s limited representation in the Folketing meant that despite 70.3% of its population opposing entry into theEuropean Economic Community, it was included along with Denmark in 1973. Concerns about thecustoms union enabling foreign competition andoverfishing of Greenlandic waters were soon validated. The Folketing approved devolution in 1978, andhome rule was established under a localLandsting the following year. On 23 February 1982, a slim majority (53%) of Greenlanders voted to withdraw from the EEC, a process finalized in 1985 with theGreenland Treaty.[46]
Greenland's Home Rule has increasingly embraced Greenlandic identity, with a focus onKalaallit language and culture, while distancing itself from Danish influence and regional dialects. In 1979, the capital, Godthåb, was renamed Nuuk. A local flag was introduced in 1985, and the Danish-owned KGH was replaced by the locally managedKalaallit Niuerfiat, now known as KNI A/S, in 1986. Following asuccessful referendum on self-government in 2008, Greenland's parliament gained expanded powers, and in 2009, Danish was removed as an official language.
Greenland'sinternational relations are mostly managed by its home rule government, though some matters remain under Danish oversight. As part of the agreement when Greenland exited the EEC, it was considered a "special case," retaining access to the European market through Denmark, which remains a member.[46] Greenland is also involved in several regional organizations[47] withIceland, theFaroe Islands, and Indigenous Inuit populations fromCanada and Russia.[48] It was a founding member of theArctic Council in 1996, an environmental group. The presence of U.S. military bases, particularly thePituffik Space Base, continues to be a contentious issue, with some politicians advocating for a renegotiation of the 1951 US–Denmark treaty. The 1999–2003 Commission on Self-Governance even proposed that Greenland should seek to have the base removed from U.S. control and placed under international management, possibly through theUnited Nations.[49]
Recent censure has arisen among Greenlanders following comments made byDonald Trump regarding the potentialannexation of Greenland to the United States for national defense purposes.[50] Interviewers onKalaallit Nunaata Radioa (KNR) expressed disapproval against Trump's comments about the potential annexation of Greenland, criticizing his remarks and stating a preference for the island to remain under Danish control. Greenlander Jens Danielsen stated, "I see Donald Trump's interest in Greenland as very dangerous," adding, "We are so few inhabitants, under 100,000, that I fear our language would disappear very quickly, so I would prefer to stay under Denmark because the relationship between Greenlanders and Danes works well as it is." Cleaning assistant Karen Kielsen suggested that while Trump's motives might not be entirely negative, economic concerns were a factor, explaining, "Everything is just getting more and more expensive here. Goods from Denmark are extremely expensive, so of course the USA seems more attractive." Other voices indicated that the debate could fuel discussions around Greenland's potential independence.[51] Leaders in Greenland have expressed criticism over an upcoming visit by a prominent American delegation to the semi-autonomous Danish territory, which U.S. PresidentDonald Trump has previously suggested might be a candidate for annexation.[52]
Greenland has an estimated population of 56,583.[1] As of 2012, the total life expectancy was 71.25 years, with males having a life expectancy of 68.6 years and females with 74.04 years.
Kommuneqarfik Sermersooq is Greenland's most populousmunicipality, with 24,382 residents. It includesNuuk, the capital and largest city of the territory.Avannaata Kommunia is the second most populous municipality, with 10,846 residents, primarily inIlulissat, its largest city.Qeqqata Kommunia has a population of 9,204, centered aroundSisimiut.Kommune Kujalleq follows with 6,145 residents, andKommune Qeqertalik is the least populated municipality, with 6,058 inhabitants.
In 2021, Greenland’s population was 56,421,[53] with 18,800 residents living in the capital, Nuuk. Most Greenlanders inhabit the fjord-lined southwestern coast, which experiences a comparatively mild climate for its high latitude.[54] While the majority of the population resides in colder coastal areas north of 64°N, the warmer regions, such as the vegetated surroundings of Narsarsuaq, remain sparsely populated.
Greenland has apopulation density of 0.14 people per square kilometer (0.054 people per square mile), making it theleast densely populated territory in the world. Due to its sparse population and vast geography, transportation between cities and towns is limited to planes, boats, snowmobiles, and dog sleds.[55]
The majority of Greenland's population identifies asLutheran. Historically, theMoravian Brothers, a congregation with ties toChristiansfeld inSouth Jutland and partially of German origin, played a significant religious role.
An estimated 89.7% of the population is of Greenlandicmultiethnic European-Inuit heritage, 7.8% isDanish, 1.1% otherNordic, and 1.4% from other backgrounds. The multiethnic European-Inuit population includes those with Danish,Norwegian,Faroese,Icelandic,Dutch (whaler),German, andAmerican ancestry.[56]
Greenland's population has been rapidly declining since 2019,[1] primarily due toemigration. This trend is driven by limited educational opportunities within Greenland, prompting citizens to seek better job prospects, improved healthcare, and relief from the harsh Arctic climate. Many young people move to Denmark for education and career advancement, contributing significantly to this population decrease.
A 2015 comprehensive genetic study of Greenlanders revealed that modern-day Inuit in Greenland are direct descendants of theThule culture pioneers who settled in the region during the 13th century. The study also showed approximately 25% European admixture, stemming from colonizers who arrived in the 16th century. Contrary to earlier theories, no genetic evidence of Viking settlers has been identified among Greenland's population.[57]
| Significant minority groups[59] | |
| Nationality | Population (2024) |
|---|---|
 Philippines | 921 |
 Thailand | 349 |
 Poland | 138 |
| Iceland | 122 |
 Sri Lanka | 121 |
 Sweden | 78 |
 China | 65 |
| Norway | 63 |
 Germany | 54 |
| USA | 39 |
| Other America | 39 |
Greenland's population is primarily composed ofGreenlandic Inuit, including individuals of mixed heritage, as well asDanish Greenlanders and otherEuropeans andNorth Americans. As of a 2009 estimate, theInuit population constituted approximately 85–90% of the total. There are 6,792 Danish residents in Greenland, accounting for 12% of the population. In recent years, the territory has seen notable immigration from Asia, particularly from thePhilippines,Thailand, andChina.
Greenlandic, specificallyWest Greenlandic or Kalaallisut, is spoken by nearly 50,000 people and became the official language of Greenland in 2009.[60] The majority of the population speaks bothDanish and West Greenlandic Kalaallisut, the most popular being theEskaleut language, with both languages having been used in public affairs since the introduction of home rule in 1979. Despite Greenlandic's official status, Danish remains widely used in administration, education, skilled trades, and other professions. The orthography of Greenlandic, initially established in 1851,[61] wasrevised in 1973. Greenland has aliteracy rate of 100%.[62]
Approximately 12% of Greenland's population speaks Danish as a first or sole language, primarily comprising Danish immigrants. For many, Danish remains the dominant language, particularly in Nuuk and other larger towns. Historically, Danish served as a second language for most multiethnic Inuit ancestors, although Greenlandic was more dominant in smaller settlements. In larger towns, especially Nuuk, Danish speakers have held significant social influence.
Debate continues over the evolving roles of Greenlandic and Danish in Greenland’s future. While Greenlandic holds official status and is widely spoken, Danish remains critical for administration and business. English, increasingly important in Greenland, is now taught starting from the first year of school.[63]
West Greenland has historically been the most populous region of the island and the center of its de facto official language, Greenlandic. However, linguistic diversity persists in other regions. Approximately 3,000 people speakEast Greenlandic, referred to as Tunumiisut, and nearly 1,000 residents aroundQaanaaq in the north speakInuktun. Notably, Inuktun shares closer similarities with the Inuit languages of Canada than with other Greenlandic dialects.[64]
These regional varieties of Greenlandic are largely unintelligible to each other, with some linguists even classifying Tunumiisut as a separate language.[65] AUNESCO report has labeled these other varieties as endangered, prompting efforts to preserve and protect the East Greenlandic dialect in particular.[66]
Education in Greenland closely follows theDanish system and is free and compulsory for children aged 7 to 16. The primary language of instruction is Greenlandic, with Danish introduced as a second language in primary school. The education system aims to foster cultural and linguistic unity through a bilingual model, integrating Greenlandic and Danish-speaking students.
The public school system, managed bymunicipalities, encompasses approximately 100 schools. It focuses on teaching Greenlandic from kindergarten through high school, while also providingvocational andtechnical education during secondary school. For higher education, theUniversity of Greenland in Nuuk provides local academic opportunities, while vocational training institutions are also available. Students who wish to study in Denmark have equal admission rights and access to scholarships, provided they meet residency requirements.
Since 1994, reforms inbilingual education have generated positive results, ensuring students gain proficiency in both Greenlandic and Danish and promoting equal access to education across linguistic groups.
The traditional religion of the nomadic Inuit wasshamanistic, centered around appeasing a vengeful andfingerless sea goddess known as Sedna, who was believed to control the success ofseal andwhale hunts.[67]
The firstNorse settlers in Greenland worshipped theNorse pantheon, but a major shift occurred whenLeif Erikson, the son ofErik the Red, converted toChristianity during a visit to Norway in 999 under the influence ofKingOlaf Tryggvason. Leif returned to Greenland with missionaries who quickly established a Christian presence, including sixteen parishes, monasteries, and a bishopric atGarðar.
The rediscovery of Greenland's Norse settlements and the spread ofProtestant Reformation ideas were main motivations behindDenmark's recolonization of Greenland in the 18th century. Under the direction of theRoyal Mission College in Copenhagen, Norwegian and DanishLutherans, as well as GermanMoravian missionaries, undertook expeditions to locate the lost Norse settlements. However, they found no surviving Norse inhabitants and instead focused their efforts on converting the Inuit population to Christianity.
Significant figures in Greenland'sChristianization includedHans Egede, his sonPoul Egede, and German missionaryMatthias Stach. Hans Egede established the first permanent Danish-Norwegian mission onKangeq Island in 1721, where efforts to translate religious texts began. TheNew Testament was translated into Greenlandic in parts over several years, but the full Bible was not translated until 1900. A modern translation of the Bible, reflecting contemporary Greenlandic orthography, was completed in 2000.[68][better source needed]
The predominant religion in Greenland isProtestant Christianity, primarily represented by the Church of Denmark, which followsLutheran teachings. Although there are no official census records on religious affiliation in Greenland, theBishop of Greenland,Sofie Petersen,[69] estimates that approximately 85% of the population are members of the Church of Denmark.[70] As part of the Danish Realm, the Church of Denmark holds the status of theestablished church under theDanish Constitution, which extends to Greenland.[71]
In Greenland, theRoman Catholic minority is pastorally served by theRoman Catholic Diocese of Copenhagen, which oversees Catholic activities across the Danish Realm. While Catholics form a small portion of the population, their presence is supported through limited church infrastructure and pastoral care.
Christian missionaries continue to operate in Greenland, with a significant presence fromcharismatic movements. Their efforts are primarily focused on strengthening the faith of existing Christians rather than actively seeking to convert non-believers.[72]
Greenland faces significant social challenges, includinghigh suicide rates, which have led to the country being reported as having the highest suicide rate in the world according to a 2010 census.[73][74] These mental health issues are often linked to a combination of cultural, environmental, and socio-economic factors, including the impacts of isolation and limited access to mental health services.
Alcoholism is another prominent issue in Greenland,[75] with consumption rates peaking in the 1980s at twice the level in Denmark. Although alcohol consumption has slightly decreased by 2010, it remains a major social concern due to its high cost and the negative effects it has on communities. The high prices of alcohol in Greenland make it an expensive habit, and the associated social problems, including addiction, domestic violence, and health issues, have a considerable impact on society.[76][77]
HIV/AIDS prevalence was once high in Greenland, peaking in the 1990s, but it has since decreased significantly due to effective public health initiatives and treatments. As of recent years, the prevalence rate has dropped to aroundc. 0.13%,[78][79] which islower than in many other countries.
Unemployment in Greenland remains higher than in Denmark,[80] with rates around 6.8% in 2017,[81] compared to Denmark’s 5.6%.[82]
The practice of forced sterilization and the widespread use ofintrauterine devices (IUDs) on Greenlandic Inuit women and girls during the 1960s and 1970s is a controversial chapter in the history of Denmark and Greenland. As part of a population control policy, roughly half of all fertile Greenlandic Inuit women and girls were fitted with IUDs, including children as young as 12. These procedures were often carried out without consent or knowledge from the girls' parents, and in some cases, girls were taken directly from school to have the devices inserted. This practice was also applied to Inuit girls attending boarding schools in Denmark.
This issue came to public attention decades later, and in 2022, theDanish Health Minister,Magnus Heunicke, confirmed that an official investigation would take place to uncover the decisions and actions that led to the forced procedures.[83] Additionally, it was found that after Greenland gained control of its healthcare system in 1991, Greenlandic doctors continued the practice on some Inuit women, despite the legal and ethical concerns.[84]
Greenlandic culture is a unique fusion of traditional Inuit (Kalaallit, Tunumiit, and Inughuit) traditions and Scandinavian influences, reflecting the island's history and geography. Inuit culture, particularly that of the Kalaallit, has a rich artistic heritage dating back thousands of years. One notable art form is the creation of tupilak, or "spirit objects," which are intricately carved figures often imbued with symbolic or spiritual significance. Originally, tupilaks were used in shamanic rituals, but today, they are primarily made as art pieces.
Traditional art-making practices, including carving, thrive in regions likeAmmassalik,[85] where local artists often work with materials like wood, stone, and bone.Sperm whale ivory remain especially valued mediums for carving.[86]
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Greenland has a successful, though small, music culture. Notable Greenlandic bands and artists includeSumé,Chilly Friday,Nanook,Siissisoq,Nuuk Posse, andRasmus Lyberth, whocompeted in the Danish national final for the1979 Eurovision Song Contest, singing in Greenlandic. Singer-songwriterSimon Lynge is the first Greenlandic artist to release an album across the United Kingdom and perform at theGlastonbury Festival.
The drum, or qilaat, is the traditional Greenlandic instrument, crafted fromdriftwood or walrus ribs and covered with polar bear or walrus stomach or bladder. Unlike typical drumming, the drum is played from underneath the frame with a stick. Traditional drum dances involved simple melodies and served dual purposes: dispelling fear during long, dark winters and resolving disputes. In the latter case, individuals would take turns drumming and singing to ridicule each other, with the audience’s laughter determining the winner.
Shamans also used the drum in rituals to conjure spirits. However, after missionaries arrived in the 18th century, drum dances were banned aspagan practices. They were replaced bypolyphonic choral singing, known for its distinctive sound, blending German hymns, influenced by theHerrnhuter Brüdergemeinde, with secular songs. Whalers from Scandinavia, Germany, and Scotland introduced instruments like the fiddle and accordion, as well as dances such as the polka, or kalattuut, which is now performed with intricate steps.
Sports play a significant role in Greenlandic culture, with the population maintaining an active lifestyle.[87] Popular sports includeassociation football,track and field,handball, andskiing. Handball, often regarded as the national sport,[88] saw themen's national team rank among the top 20 globally in 2001.
Greenland's natural environment offers ideal conditions for activities likeskiing,fishing,snowboarding,ice climbing, androck climbing. However,hiking andmountain climbing are more commonly enjoyed by the general population. While Greenland's landscape is not well-suited forgolf, Nuuk is home to a golf course.[89]
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The national dish of Greenland issuaasat, a traditional soup prepared withseal meat. The Greenlandic diet heavily relies on meat from marine mammals, game, birds, and fish, as the glacial landscape limits agricultural options. Most ingredients are sourced from the ocean,[90] and seasoning is typically limited to salt and pepper.[91]
Greenlandic coffee is a notable dessert beverage, distinct for being "flaming" as it is set alight before serving. Made withcoffee,whiskey,Kahlúa,Grand Marnier, and topped withwhipped cream, it is stronger than the more widely knownIrish coffee.[92]
Kalaallit Nunaata Radioa (KNR) is Greenland's public broadcasting company and an associate member of bothEurovision and theNordvision network. Employing nearly 100 people, KNR is among the largest organizations in the territory.[93] Nuuk also has its own radio and television station, includingNanoq Media, a local television channel established on August 1, 2002. Nanoq Media is the largest local station in Greenland, reaching over 4,000 households, approximately 75% of all households in Nuuk.[94]
Greenland has two nationally distributed newspapers.Sermitsiaq, a weekly publication named after the nearbySermitsiaq mountain, is released every Friday, with its online edition updated multiple times daily. It was initially distributed only in Nuuk, but expanded nationwide in the 1980s.Atuagagdliutit/Grønlandsposten (AG) is a bi-weekly newspaper, published in Greenlandic as Atuagagdliutit and in Danish as Grønlandsposten, with all articles appearing in both languages. It is released every Tuesday and Thursday.
The Inuit of Greenland have a rich tradition of arts and crafts, including the carving oftupilaks, small sculptures representing avenging spirits or mythical beings.[95] The term "tupilak," from Greenlandic, translates to the soul or spirit of a deceased person. These carvings, often no more than 20 centimetres (8 in) tall, are traditionally crafted from walrus ivory and feature grotesque or imaginative designs. Once associated withshamanic rituals, tupilaks are now mainly regarded as collectible artifacts. Modern Greenlandic artisans continue to work with native materials such as musk ox wool, seal fur, soapstone, reindeer antlers, and gemstones.
Greenlandic painting began in the mid-19th century withAron von Kangeq, whose watercolors and drawings illustrated traditional sagas and myths. In the 20th century, landscape and animal painting emerged alongside printmaking and book illustration. Artists such asKistat Lund andBuuti Pedersen earned international acclaim for their expressive landscapes, whileAnne-Birthe Hove focused on themes of Greenlandic social life. TheNuuk Art Museum showcases these works along with others.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church shall be the Established Church of Denmark, and, as such, it shall be supported by the State.
