• Things to Do
  • Destinations
  • Plan Your Trip
  • About Greenland
  • Events
Visit Greenland
  • Home
  • Things to Do
  • Destinations
    • All destinations
    • North Greenland
    • Disko Bay
    • Destination Arctic Circle
    • Capital Region
    • South Greenland
    • East Greenland
    • The National Park
  • Plan Your Trip
  • About Greenland
  • Articles
  • Events
  • Cruise
  • Practical Questions
  • Package tours & providers
  • Your Local Travel Agency
  • Contact
  • Search

Traditional Dress

The Greenlandic national costume is famous and is a magnificent sight. Beads brought by Europeans became a part of the female outfit.

THE INUITS’ ANIMAL SKIN CLOTHES

In former times the Inuits only wore clothes made from animal hides or skins.

These clothes were warm and hardwearing, and if properly looked after could cope with the winter’s freezing temperatures in the Arctic region.

Both men and women’s clothes consisted of furs, trousers and boots, but the cut and choice of animal skin was different for each sex.

The skins were taken from animals that were killed and captured, and, depending on the species of the prey, were of very different weight, durability and appearance.

"In former times the Inuits only wore clothes made from animal hides or skins."

Package Tours

Topas Travel: Tailor-made round trips for individuals or private groups

Topas Travel

Tailor-made round trips for individuals or private groups

Explore Greenland with confidence through 22+ years of Topas expertise. Our deep local ties ensure smooth journeys, with hotels, excursions, and transport coordinated. Let us design your Greenland travel.

FROM €2,000
Tasermiut Expeditions: Hiking and Kayaking Adventure

Tasermiut Expeditions

Hiking and Kayaking Adventure

8 days trip, kayaking and on foot: complete contact with nature, kayaking and hiking activities, discover Viking ruins in South Greenland.

FROM €2,495
Arctic Hiking and Expeditions: Arctic Villages in East Greenland

Arctic Hiking and Expeditions

Arctic Villages in East Greenland

Visit the region's villages and its capital, Tasilaq. Learn about Inuit culture, climb Kuummiit mountain and enjoy sailing among icebergs.

FROM €3,349
Bowhunting Greenland: Caribou Hunting

BowhuntingGreenland

Caribou Hunting

BowhuntingGreenland offers quality Caribou Hunting only

FROM €6,500
Show More

CAREFULLY SELECTED SKIN

Men’s clothing was made so that they would neither freeze to death on their long hunting trips on the winter ice nor be soaked to the skin when hunting by kayak.

“A man is what his wife makes him” said the Inuits, because they knew that if they were to survive in the harsh Arctic winter, the skins used in their clothes had to be carefully chosen and perfectly sewn.

Being a skilled seamstress thus earned a woman a great deal of respect. If you could sew good kamiks, trousers and anoraks, then you were assured of a good existence. Today the traditional animal skin suits can be seen in most local museums.

FROM TRADITIONAL DRESS TO NATIONAL COSTUME

When the Europeans set foot in Greenland in the 17th and 18th centuries, they brought with them clothing fabrics and glass beads as goods to trade.

These materials gradually become incorporated into the Inuits‘ dress, particularly for festive attire. For men the hide trousers were replaced by a thick woollen material called ‘holmensklæde’ (literally island cloth), and for women the anorak was sewn in silks.

The glass beads were initially used in the same way as when decorating oneself with beads fashioned from bone.

It gradually became prestigious to use more and more beads, and this trend is particularly visible on the women’s national costume.

WEARING THE NATIONAL COSTUME

Today the Greenlandic national costume is used on special festive occasions and at festivals such as Christmas, Easter, Greenland’s National Day, confirmations and weddings.

On birthdays the national costume can also be used, not least on a child’s first birthday. When a child has his or her first day at school at the beginning of August, it is a day of great celebration in Greenland.

The six-year-old girls and boys are usually dressed in national costumes on this special day. In addition to the traditional festivals, visitors to Greenland will also see the national costume being worn when cruise ships call at port or when there are other special events.

Explore related articles, offers and tour providers:

  • All destinations
  • Anything
  • Anytime
  • Anywhere
  • Art
  • Craft
  • Cultural Experiences
  • Fashion
  • Inuit Culture
  • Summer
  • Winter

By Visit Greenland

Behind Greenland's largest travel site is the Visit Greenland that is 100% owned by the Government of Greenland, who is responsible for marketing the country's adventures and opportunities for guests wishing to visit the world's largest island

https://visitgreenland.com

Editors' pick

Gill is winter hiking in Ilulissat. Photo by Gill and Alistair Campbell

A senior’s guide to adventure in Greenland

There are more and more active travellers who are over 60 but still looking for adventure and new places to discover.

  • #Aasiaat
  • #All destinations
  • #Anytime
  • #Arctic Wildlife
  • #Boat Tours
  • #Coastal Ferry
  • #Cross Country Skiing
  • #Cultural Experiences
  • #Culture vs Nature
  • #Greenlandic Gastronomy
  • #Icebergs
  • #Ilulissat
  • #Kapisillit
  • #Meeting Greenlanders
  • #Natural Experiences
  • #Nuuk
  • #Regions
  • #Seasons
  • #Sisimiut
  • #Summer
  • #Things to do & About
  • #Towns & settlements
  • #Winter
A view on Tasiilaq. Photo by Chris König

A journey into East Greenland – iceberg, glaciers, and local life

From Kulusuk we leave in the direction of Tasiilaq and almost the first things we see are the massive icebergs floating around.

  • #Anytime
  • #Boat Tours
  • #Cultural Experiences
  • #Culture vs Nature
  • #East Greenland
  • #Icebergs
  • #Kulusuk
  • #Kuummiut
  • #Meeting Greenlanders
  • #Natural Experiences
  • #Regions
  • #Seasons
  • #Summer
  • #Tasiilaq
  • #Things to do & About
  • #Tiilerilaaq
  • #Towns & settlements
  • #Winter

New flight schedule makes Greenland more accessible

Big changes for Greenland tourism: Nuuk’s new international airport opens Nov 28, 2024, with two more until 2026.

  • #Anything
  • #Anytime
  • #Anywhere
  • #Seasons
  • #Things to do & About
  • #Towns & settlements
Photo workshop under the glacier. Photo by Norris Niman - Visit Greenland

Discovering the ancient – East Greenland’s ultimate ice cave expedition

Equipped with crampons and a helmet, we crunched over the ice and into the mouth of the cave. Our torchlight illuminated the otherwise pitch-black surroundings, revealing a grand expanse.

  • #East Greenland
  • #Kulusuk
  • #Natural Experiences
  • #Photo tours
  • #Summer
  • #Tasiilaq
More related articles

Keep Exploring

Things to Do

Browse culture and nature (outdoor, hunting, fishing, cruises) related activities, as well as combination of both types.

Plan your trip

Read about practical information on how to get to Greenland, how to get around, when to travel or where to stay.

Destinations

Explore the regions and towns around Greenland and dig deeper into the experiences in each destination.

About Greenland

All about art, music, history, as well as animals, climate change and other interesting information about Greenland.

Visit Greenland

About Visit Greenland

Behind Greenland's largest travel site is the Visit Greenland that is 100% owned by the Government of Greenland, who is responsible for marketing the country's adventures and opportunities for guests wishing to visit the world's largest island.
The VisitGreenland.com website is created by Visit Greenland and Kathart Interactive.
The Privacy Policy for Visit Greenland

Frequently Visited Pages

  • Things to Do
  • Destinations
  • Nature & Climate
  • When to go
  • Greenlandic Culture
  • Frequently Asked Questions

Other Websites By Visit Greenland:

  • Travel Trade
  • Cruise Call List
  • Media Database

Newsletter

Receive inspiring stories, travel deals and news from Greenland via email.

SIGN UP HERE

VISIT GREENLAND – contact us:

Mon. - Fri: 8 am - 4 pm

Visit Greenland
Hans Egedesvej 29
P.O. Box 1615
3900 Nuuk
Greenland

Visit Greenland Phone:
(+299) 34 28 20

info@visitgreenland.com
Copyright Visit Greenland 2023 © Produced by KathArt Interactive
Hunting Culture Hunting Culture - Two hunters in the sea ice near Tasiilaq in East Greenland Language - A Greenland Travel hiking guide and a local camp manager from East Greenland discussing the pronounciation of East Greenlandic words Language
Scroll to top