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  • The Peter Jensen design kamik compared to the classic, traditional West Greenlandic national costume kamik, by Mads Pihl

Deconstructing the Greenlandic national costume

What do you get when you mix a fashion polemic and a strong symbol of Greenlandic culture?

Read how writer and artist Jørgen Chemnitz collaborates with the beautiful Lea Holm to deconstruct prejudices and push boundaries.

I have published a “tasteful” pinup calendar featuring Lea Holm, aged 22, a Greenlandic model wearing just a little fur or selected parts of her national costume.

I got the idea a couple of years ago when a pair of ultramodern boots were presented in London that were clearly strongly inspired by the Greenlandic “kamik”, which is part of the national costume for women. The boots were practically a copy of the original, just a slimmer version with high heels.

"I got the idea a couple of years ago when a pair of ultramodern boots were presented in London"

Continues further down the page...

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“Kamik in the Greenlandic national costume are long, broad boots made of sealskin at the bottom with a ring of small, coloured pieces of animal skin sewn on. The upper part includes floral embroidery fashioned in silk thread.

The modern “kamik boot” caused a great deal of controversy here in Greenland – to such an extent that it resulted in a number of protests by women.

A demonstration demanded that the boot be banned, taken off the market; it was seen as offensive and akin to stealing tradition.

This demonstration and other reactions – primarily that of indignation – are clear examples of the reactionary forces that prevail amongst those to whom traditions are static and should be handed down as they are without being allowed to develop.

Ironically, this ignores the fact that the Greenlandic national costume is actually an imaginatively put together amalgam of new and old materials from all corners of the globe: sealskin, pearls, silks.

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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

http://visitgreenland.com

Editors' pick

Diving into the Nuuk fjord as the sun is setting. Photo by Peter Lindstrom - Visit Greenland

Editor’s tips for 2021

Greenland’s on your bucket list for the new year - or perhaps even the year after - but when is the best time to visit Greenland and what are useful things to know before going? What are things to do in Greenland in winter as opposed to summer?

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Disko Bay Steam in Ilulissat Ice Fjord. Photo - David Trood, Visit Greenland

Greenland vs Iceland: The Arctic Travel Battle

10 basic differences between Greenland and Iceland you should know before booking your vacation.

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A glacier hiker on the Greenland Ice Sheet kicking up ice on a sunny day near Kangerlussuaq. Photo by Mads Pihl - Visit Greenland.

8 Things You Can Only Find in Greenland and Nowhere Else

Here is a list of things that you can find ONLY in Greenland and nowhere else in the world.

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Arctic hare in Ittoqqortoormiit. Photo by Bo Normander.

Beautiful hike in Ittoqqortoormiit in East Greenland

A hike to the abandoned village of Uunarteq (Cape Tobin) offers incomparably beautiful Arctic nature, challenging terrain and close encounters with snow hares, eider ducks, sea urchins and, if you are lucky / unlucky, polar bears.

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