Transmission of culture
The transmission of Inuit culture in Greenland is undergoing significant changes as modern influences intersect with traditional practices. Historically, Inuit knowledge, values, and traditions were passed down through oral storytelling, hands-on learning, and community rituals. While many of these traditions persist, contemporary shifts in education, globalization, and societal transformations are reshaping the ways Inuit culture is preserved and taught.
Traditionally, Inuit culture has been transmitted within families, with elders playing a crucial role in teaching younger generations about hunting, navigation, survival skills, and spiritual beliefs. Oral storytelling remains an important way to pass down myths, legends, and historical knowledge. However, as younger Greenlanders increasingly embrace formal education and digital communication, some elders express concerns that fewer children are learning these ancestral ways.
Greenlandic schools today incorporate elements of Inuit history and language, but the presence of Danish influence in the education system has historically overshadowed indigenous teachings. However, in 2009, Greenlandic (Kalaallisut) became the official language of Greenland, and today, schools are taught in Greenlandic, which has significantly contributed to the preservation of the language. Efforts are being made to further revitalize Kalaallisut and include Inuit perspectives in school curricula. Some initiatives, such as cultural camps and language programs, aim to reconnect younger generations with traditional knowledge through immersive experiences.
Transmission plays a significant role in Greenlandic culture, especially in rural areas. Children are introduced to hunting and fishing from a very young age (as early as 2-3 years old) with their parents. In these rural areas, where farming is prevalent, farms are often passed down from parents to children. However, many young people leave to study in Iceland or Denmark and do not return to Greenland, citing a lack of opportunities and a stifling social system.
For those who remain, living in harmony with nature is more than just a way of life—it is a cultural identity. As Aaqqioq Kleist, a 39-year-old sheep farmer, explains:
"Being in nature is important because it is part of our culture. It’s a culture, not just a hobby. That’s why it’s important to do this with the children so that the culture stays alive, to teach them how to live in nature, how to survive in nature."
At the same time, for many young Greenlanders, staying is not always an option. Asiarpa, 26, acknowledges the difficulties:
"There are not many opportunities here. I was trained in Iceland, and if there are better opportunities there, I will go back to work—even though I love my country."
Her mother, Elionora, supports her decision:
"Young people must be able to choose what is best for them. If it is elsewhere, then they should go."
For the parents interviewed, the departure of their children is not seen as a problem, and the transmission of their culture is not viewed as a burden. Instead, it is an ongoing process, deeply rooted in the landscape and traditions that define Greenlandic life.