Greenlandic Inuit

The Inuit live across the far north of Canada, Russia, the United States and Greenland. In Greenland, where most of the Inuit live, the capital city of Nuuk is home to almost a quarter of the population. Others are spread across the island's western coast in small settlements and towns, with just a few remote villages on the east coast.

Coastal locations have been favoured given that the Inuit are a marine people, dependent on the sea for food – for hunting and fishing as well as the more modern shipping of goods. Towns are far apart from each other, with access to neighbours often restricted by limited roads. Yet within communities, they live closely together.

The resourcefulness of the Inuit is at the heart of many traditions. As everything used was either hunted, gathered or made, lifestyles were shaped around this work and each family member had a specific contribution to it.

Igloos decorated with snow furniture have provided winter dwellings for thousands of years; whalebone constructed tents being the summer equivalent. Most houses today are permanent wooden structures but igloos are still used during long winter hunts. Animal skin is utilised for traditional clothing, again still owned by the Inuit but primarily worn on special occasions or again for long travels.

Well-known forms of Inuit recreation, culture and art include the love for storytelling, particularly legends and hunting accounts, dance, namely the drum dance often with a story basis, and throat singing, whereby the sounds of the environment are echoed through voice manipulation and breathing techniques.

While fishing is Greenland's largest industry and the source of many people's livelihoods, tourism is now very much a part of the culture. Experiencing Greenland with an Inuit Guide presents a wonderful opportunity to get to know the locals and support their economy. With great regard to traditional skills and practices persisting, you'll share in the appreciation for the land at present and in times past.

Inuit Guides lead on hiking, kayaking and fishing tours, sledge-trips, Aurora experiences, and museum visits. If you're lucky, you may also get to hear the retelling of a local legend or myth.