Greenlanders Reconnect with Inuit Traditions

In Nuuk, Greenland, Aviaja Rakel Sanimuinaq takes pride in reviving Inuit customs and spirituality. As a shaman with traditional Inuit tattoos, she practices spiritual healing to aid connections with ancestors and address generational trauma. A sign at her studio states: “Ancient knowledge in a modern world.”

Sanimuinaq expresses a respect for various spiritual beliefs, including Christianity, Buddhism, and Hinduism, while cherishing her work. Surrounding her are seal skulls, raven feathers, and medicinal herbs, all essential for her shamanic practices. She emphasizes the need for recognizing Inuit traditions as valid and deserving of space in contemporary culture.

Inuit people have thrived in Greenland’s harsh environment for generations, hunting seals, whales, and polar bears. Their animist religion respects the spirits of animals, stones, and natural elements. Despite the prevalence of the Lutheran Church, many Greenlanders are rediscovering their roots and advocating for independence from Denmark.

Historical efforts to assimilate Inuit into European culture involved suppressing their traditions, including tattoos and drum dances. Asta Mønsted, a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, notes that missionaries deemed Inuit practices pagan. Despite this, some traditions were preserved quietly.

Traditional tattoos, known as “Tunniit,” passed through generations, signifying protection and rites of passage for women. Therecie Sanimuinaq Pedersen, Aviaja’s mother, recalls her grandmother concealing her tattoos. Now, seeing young Greenlanders with tattoos inspires her.

The Inuit drum, or “qilaat,” played a key role in conflict resolution and spiritual ceremonies. Drum duels often resolved disputes with humor, though losing a duel could lead to exile in the harsh Arctic environment.

Greenland, formerly a Danish colony, has been moving towards sovereignty. Recent attention on its mineral wealth and independence aspirations have fueled open discussions on cultural heritage and past colonial abuses.

Naja Parnuuna, a singer-songwriter, highlights the importance of embracing Inuit identity through her music. Her father, a former pastor dismissed for allowing drum dancing in church, inspired her advocacy. Parnuuna encourages valuing cultural roots for improved self-esteem and community well-being.

Enhancing pride in Inuit customs, such as spirit drums and tattoos, empowers Greenlanders to reclaim their heritage and shape their future.