Disclaimer
This article is an opinion piece written by an external author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Visit Greenland.
For better or worse, depending on who you ask, Hans Egede is one of the most influential people in Greenland’s history. Three hundred years ago, he arrived on our shores.
The year 2021 marks the 300th anniversary of Hans Egede’s arrival in Greenland to Christianise and colonise the island. His influence on almost every aspect of life in Greenland is visible even in modern times and, today, most Greenlanders are officially Christians and members of the Lutheran State Church. A testament to Hans Egede’s influence on society is that he continues to be both revered and controversial to this very day.
As with many historical figures with strong personalities, Hans Egede and his legacy have varying interpretations. A historian, a theologist, or a local citizen would probably have differing views about his life’s work. You will sense that there is still a division of perspectives regarding Hans Egede’s character and contribution to society if you read opinion articles today.
Hans Egede’s Statue Faces the Wind
For the past 50 years, the placement of Hans Egede’s statue at a prominent location in Nuuk‘s Colonial Harbour neighbourhood has called for controversy. His statue stands on a small hill next to the iconic red wooden Church of Our Saviour, facing south towards the Island of Hope, where he built his first mission. Nuuk is quite a gusty place, so Hans Egede must sometimes, both literally and figuratively, face harsh winds. But why has the placement of the statue become so important?
In the wake of the 2020, worldwide demonstrations for Black Lives Matter and against former colonisers and slave owners, the statues of Hans Egede in Nuuk and Copenhagen were splashed with paint. The word “DECOLONIZE” was also written on them.
In the ensuing debate, some argued that an oppressor’s statue should not remain in such a significant location. Others suggested that it could be moved to a museum or a specific statue park. However, in a local referendum, the people of Nuuk voted to keep the statue in its current location. Also, it should be noted, the statue was erected 100 years ago following a Greenlandic initiative. It was not placed in Nuuk by outsiders, but by the citizens of Nuuk. This has not deterred its detractors, though.
The wish for independence and the fight for Greenlandic values gained traction in the 1960s and 1970s. A rethinking of current values also occurred. It was argued that many societal values were imposed upon the Greenlandic population from the outside.
The fight for home rule, self-governance, and, eventually, independence is not a fight against Christianity. Still, Christianity did oppress original Inuit thinking and values. Hans Egede would therefore also become a symbol of oppression. Some believe that because he imposed new norms, he felt his values were superior to those of the indigenous people.
In recent years, an Inuit Renaissance has taken place, with many young people identifying with original Inuit values as an alternative to the dominant culture, which is very influenced by European thinking. Inuit values can be observed in personal, introspective ways, but there is also an emergence of very visible signifiers: Inuit facial and body tattoos. Christians banned these, and their comeback points to a renewal of pride in Inuit history. You can see the original facial tattoos on the famous Qilakitsoq Mummies‘ faces at The National Museum of Greenland.
Other people focus on what they consider are positive aspects of Hans Egede’s arrival in Greenland: the living standards rose, and the mortality rates fell. Also, it is considered a success by some that a high percentage of the population are members of the church and follow the religion that Hans Egede brought to Greenland.
However, let’s go back in time to see what motivated Hans Egede.
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