Have you ever thought about who lives in Greenland? Unfortunately, few people have, as most of its population resides in small villages throughout the country.
However, most of us know that this icy nation is located near Canada and has a unique traditional and modern culture.
In fact, not only does Greenland boast a rich cultural heritage, but it also promises an abundance of breathtaking views and fascinating wildlife that makes it one of the world’s most remarkable countries.
So let’s dive into just who inhabits this immense stretch of land!
The Inuit, the Indigenous People of Greenland
The Inuit are the indigenous people of Greenland, with a rich cultural heritage that spans thousands of years.
Living in one of the world’s harshest environments, they have developed unique and innovative ways of adapting to their surroundings.
Traditionally, the Inuit were hunters and gatherers, relying on the land and sea for food and resources.
Today, many Inuit still maintain a solid connection to their heritage, preserving their language, art, music, and storytelling traditions.
Despite climate change and modernization challenges, the Inuit remain vital to Greenland’s cultural identity. Their contributions to the region’s history and development cannot be overlooked.
The Unique Cultural Traditions and Beliefs of the Inuit
If you’ve ever wondered what living in a truly unique culture is like, look no further than the Inuit community in Greenland.
The Inuit have built a society with a rich history and strong beliefs.
From their beautiful traditional clothing to their fascinating hunting techniques, the Inuit have a way of life that is truly awe-inspiring.
And if you think that’s impressive, wait until you hear about their spiritual beliefs.
With a deep connection to the natural world, the Inuit have a poetic and profound worldview.
Don’t call them Inuit or Eskimo – call them Greenlanders!
It’s important to note that the Inuit are not just called ‘Inuit’ or ‘Eskimo’; they refer to themselves as Greenlanders.
Though it may seem a small detail, this speaks volumes about their pride and a strong sense of identity.
So if you ever meet someone from Greenland, show your respect and call them a ‘Greenlander’!
All in all, the people of Greenland are incredibly diverse and fascinating.
From the Inuit to the Danes, Greenland is home to various cultures contributing to its unique identity.
By understanding who lives in Greenland, we can better appreciate this remarkable country and all it offers.
The Greenlandic Inuit
Greenlandic Inuit (in Greenlandic: Kalaallit) are the indigenous people of Greenland.
As of 2012, about 89% of Greenland’s population (51,349 people) are Greenlandic Inuit.
Ethnographically, they consist of three main groups:
The Kalshit of West Greenland, who speak Kalshisut – 44,000-50,000 people; Tonomite of Tono (East Greenland), who speak Tonomite Eurasiat (also known as Tonomysot) – 3,000 people; The Inuguit of North Greenland, who speak Inochton – 800 people.
Inuit cuisine is mainly based on marine mammals, and the traditional dish is Suaasat, a soup made from seal meat and various seaweeds.
Not only Inuit live in Greenland – but also Danes!
Danes are the second largest ethnic group in Greenland, with around 11% of the population (6,500 people).
Their presence on the island dates back to 1721 when Denmark-Norway took control over Greenland.
This has led to a rich cultural exchange between the two cultures, resulting in a hybridized culture unique to Greenland.
Though many are bilingual, Danes living in Greenland often speak Danish and Greenlandic.
Other population groups in Greenland
Besides Greenlandic Inuits and Danes, other ethnicities can be found in Greenland, such as Icelandic settlers, people of mixed race, and immigrants from Europe, Asia, and North America.
Because people from Nordic countries, like Iceland, Sweden, and Norway, do not need a visa to stay and live in Greenland, some have settled there in recent years.
These groups comprise only a tiny part of the population – around 8% (4,700 people) – but they are significant regarding cultural diversity.
The main religion in Greenland is Christianity, but the Inuit have their own spiritual beliefs and practices – such as shamanism and animism – that continue to be a part of everyday life.
What are people from Greenland called?
The native people of Greenland are called ‘Greenlanders,’ or in the local language, Kalaallit.
In some contexts, they may also be called Inuit or Eskimos.
It’s important to note that the term ‘Eskimo’ is no longer widely accepted and can be offensive – so it’s best to avoid it.
How do people in Greenland make money?
The major industries in Greenland are fishing and tourism, but lately, there’s been a surge of interest in the country’s natural resources.
Minerals like gold and rare earth elements have been discovered, leading to increased mining operations in recent years.
This has created job opportunities for locals and given them another way to make money.
Fishing remains one of Greenland’s most important sources of income and is a large part of its economy.
The country also relies heavily on aid from Denmark, which owns Greenland, to support its GDP, which makes up almost 70 percent of total revenue.
What is the majority race in Greenland?
Most people in Greenland are the Greenlandic Inuits, a group of indigenous people that have inhabited the island for thousands of years.
They are 88% of the population and comprise most of Greenland’s racial demographics.
What celebrities are from Greenland?
Although no international celebrities are from Greenland, the country has produced some well-known figures.
Most notably, singer and songwriter Nive Nielsen is famous in Greenland and abroad.
Other notable people include painter Aka Høegh (Don’t miss her art project “Stone and Man” in Qaqortoq!), writer Niviaq Korneliussen, actress Makka Kleist, singer Nina Kreutzmann Jørgensen, and the programmer Rasmus Lerdorf who gave us the programming language PHP.
All of these people have brought attention to Greenland and the unique culture it has to offer!
What is the male-to-female ratio in Greenland?
Who would’ve thought that only 56,000 could have such strong gender representation?
Back in 2022, it was reported that around 30,000 of those inhabitants were men and 27,000 were women.
That’s a ratio of 1.1 males to every female, and it has been relatively stable since then.
Does Greenland have immigrants?
Yes, Greenland has immigrants from other countries.
Mostly it’s Danes from Denmark who come to Greenland and people from other Nordic countries.
A few people from Europe, Asia, and North America have also settled in Greenland.
But besides Nordic people, Immigrants currently comprise about 8% of the total population (4,700).
Although immigrants add to the cultural diversity in Greenland, they remain a small minority.
Are there Muslims in Greenland?
In 2013 a single Lebanese citizen, Wassam Azaqeer, took up residence in Nuuk and opened a restaurant in the city – He became famous in Greenland and in the Arab world, who called him the “Arab Columbus” – and I hope to meet him in person one day, and ask him what led him to move to such a remote place!
He sure is a fascinating and unique guy.
Are there Jews in Greenland?
No, there are no Jews in Greenland.
At the same time, some Jewish visitors, prominent journalists, nurses, meteorologists, and American and Danish service members have never established a permanent presence on the island.
If you want to know more, there’s an excellent book called “Antisemitism in the North” by Jonathan Adams and Cordelia Heß about the Jewish community in the North American continent.
It has information about the historical links between Jews and Greenland.
After reading it, I found no connection, except that I found out that The initial ship of the Israeli navy was originally a U.S. coastguard vessel that carried out patrols in the waters around Greenland.
Here’s a link to the part in the book about Jews in Greenland.
In conclusion
Now you know who lives in Greenland and what their lives are like.
The Greenlandic people, mostly Inuit, have a vibrant culture deeply rooted in the land and its traditional spiritual beliefs.
Immigrants from other countries also help make up part of the population, although they remain a small minority.
The major industries in Greenland are fishing and tourism, with mining operations, slowly gaining traction due to newfound mineral reserves.
Finally, notable figures from Greenland, such as singer Nive Nielsen and programmer Rasmus Lerdorf, have helped spread knowledge about the country’s culture worldwide.
Hopefully, this article has given you a better understanding of life in Greenland!
Comment if you want to know more about this fantastic place. I am always happy to help!
Thanks for reading, and have a great day! : )
