8 Things You Can Only Find in Greenland and Nowhere Else

The Greenlandic Reindeer is the only reindeer species found in Greenland. They have lived in Greenland for thousands of years, and have been the main food source for Greenlanders for just as long. Reindeer hunting is a popular Greenlandic tradition that even younger Greenlanders embrace.

In spite of that, the Greenlandic Reindeer is the most commonly found land mammal in Greenland, particularly on the west coast. There are high chances of seeing a Greenlandic Reindeer if you go hiking in the Greenlandic fells, especially in the area between Paamiut and Uummannaq. 

Because of the geographical location of Greenland, the sea is the main source of food for Greenlanders. For thousands of years, Greenlanders sustained themselves with meat from marine animals found in their seas, including whales, walruses and seals.

Until today, these animals are a part of the Greenlanders’ diet, though they are reserved mainly for special occasions. Greenland’s unofficial national dish is Suaasat, a traditional soup made from seal or whale meat, onions and potatoes. Another traditional Inuit dish is the mattak, raw pieces of whale skin with blubber (often from a narwhal, bowhead or beluga).

To protect the marine life, each administrative area in Greenland is assigned a certain quota for whaling and fishing. Certain species like the blue whale are protected and thus cannot be fished. Also, no export of whale and seal meat is allowed — they are only consumed locally.

Myths and characters play a vital role in Greenlandic culture. The most famous character is the Greenlandic tupilak, which refers to an ancestor’s soul or spirit.

Traditionally, a shaman would call upon the tupilak spirit to help against an enemy by creating a figure made from various bones or other parts of animals. He would then sing a spell on the figure, place it into the sea to seek to destroy the enemy.

Over the years, it has become a Greenlandic tradition to make tupilaks from local materials including wood, animal bones, walrus tusks and reindeer antlers. They are often carved based characters from Inuit mythology. These days, they are an important part of Greenlandic Inuit art and are highly prized as collectibles.

When the Greenlandic rock band Sumé came into the music scene in the 1970s, they created a wave that swept across Greenland. These early pioneers of Greenlandic rock music helped pave the way for what has become an extraordinarily diverse music scene.

These days, Greenlandic rock music is still a big hit in Greenland. Locals adore rock bands like Siisisoq, Chilly Friday, and Arctic Spirits. There are also pop groups like Nanook, hip-hop bands such as Nuuk Posse and punk-rock bands such as Uummat.

Greenland’s first mall, Nuuk Center, has everything you’d expect from a shopping center: restaurants, boutiques and a supermarket. The surprise lies not in the mall itself, but it the tower above it.

The nine-story tower is home to Greenland’s government. Greenland is now governed by self-rule, and has its own government. All of the different Ministries are located here, with the highest floor being, of course, dedicated to the Premier’s office.