Greenlandic Inuit Beliefs - Nexta Expeditions
Greenlandic Inuit Beliefs

Greenlandic Inuit Beliefs

Greenland is the world’s largest island and with the northern tip around 740 kilometres from the North Pole it is the northernmost country on Earth. The island is around 2,670 kilometres long and is about 650 kilometres across at its widest point.

The total land mass is about 2,175,600 square kilometres, 85 percent of which is covered by ice, which can be up to 3,000 metres thick in some places. Geologically, the island has sunk under the ice’s enormous weight with several areas below sea level.

blog-image

Nonetheless, the scenery on a Greenland cruise is stunning with peaks of the mountains jutting into the sky and glaciers winding their way through mountain valleys to reach coastline fjords. Where the glaciers meet the sea icebergs form, floating out to sea.

The weather is just as dramatic with its sub-arctic location bring short, cold summers and freezing cold winters. Along the fjords the temperature hovers around -8° Celsius during wintertime, however the temperature is much colder in the interior.

Greenland was settled by descendants of the present Inuit culture, who identify the island as Kalaalit Nunaat – “land of the people”: The name Greenland came from the Norse explorer Erik the Red who sailed from Iceland to the island in 982 C.E. and spent the next three years farming a plot of land along the southern coastline.

blog-image

The Greenland Inuit’s belief of soul and body

Traditionally, Greenland Inuit believe that humans as well as animals have both soul and body, where the soul performs the breathing and is independent of the body. In this sense the Inuit believe that the soul continues to live after death.

In the context of where Man came from, Greenland Inuit believe that the first man was called Kallak, created by the first woman out of a tuft of sod. Regarding animals, the Inuit also believe that they too have a soul that is independent of the body and continues after death living. For the Inuit, there is belief that the soul may return to Earth and continue in another body.

blog-image

The upper and underworld

The Inuit belief-system is centred around the whole visible world being ruled by supernatural powers or ‘owners’ and is called inua, which means man, and is often used when describing physical locations that have taken on human qualities and passions for example the inua of a certain mountain or lake.

Meanwhile the Earth, with the sea supported by it, rests on pillars and covers the underworld, which is accessible by various entrances from the sea as well as in parts of mountains. Above the Earth an upper world is found with blue sky beyond it. The Inuit believe that the upper world has real land with mountains and valleys.

After death, the Inuit believe that human souls go to either the upper or under world. In fact, the Inuit prefer the underworld as it is warm with abundant food while the souls that go to the upper world will suffer from cold and famine. The Greenland Inuit believe that after death the people can reappear as ghosts. The ghosts make their appearance known by whistling, the next is singing in the ears to ask for food. The dead also act as guardian spirits to their children and grandchildren, especially ones that are named after them.

Summoning powers

To obtain special assistance from the ruling powers Greenland Inuit at times practice the art of summoning, which was practised and taught from mouth to mouth by people acknowledged or authorised by the community. It was always conducted in secret and always with the object of injuring others and completely favouring the practiser. This art is very similar to witchcraft and is based on the principle of divine justice that punishes one person and rewards another.

A unique prayer for a unique circumstance

When making prayers, the Greenland Inuit appeal for aid or to some special owner of the power they seek. The typical custom is to use distinct spells with unique tunes belonging to them. This type of prayer is called serrat and may be referenced to health, hunting, assistance against enemies or dangers. In other words, a specific serrat was used to address a specific issue. A serrat has power itself and is independent of the person who happens to know of it or make use of it. Therefore, the serrat is considered an object of possession and at times were known to be of hereditary property. To own such a serrat, it had to be originally acquired by a revelation to some individual who possessed a certain degree of wisdom.

Fasting and abstinence during childbirth

During times of child-birth, the Greenland Inuit follow a traditional belief system revolving around fasting and abstinence. The woman preparing to give birth is not allowed to work or eat any flesh excepting from the produce of her husband and which the entrails had not been wounded, while fish was allowed.

Two weeks prior to delivery she then may eat flesh, but the bones where not be carried outside the house. During this time the women are not allowed to eat or drink in the open air nor is anyone else allowed to drinking from her water-tubs.

Similarly, leading up to giving birth the husbands are not allowed to work or do any barter for some weeks. They would also take off one boot and put it beneath the dish they were eating so that if a son was born he would be a good hunter.

During the first few days after a child is born no fires are to be lighted at their stall and nothing cooked over the lamp. Immediately after the child is born a name is given to them and it was always of significance if it was to be called the name of a deceased relative, with one of the grandparent’s names preferred.

blog-image

Mixed-sex priests

Both women and men can become priests in Greenland Inuit culture. First a child was educated by a priest, afterwards, there was strict fasting as well as living for periods alone as a way to ensure the soul becomes partly independent of the body and external to the world. Finally, tornak, or guardian spirit would come, whom the apprentice priest will later be able to call to their aid by taking certain measures anytime of choice.

During the time the guardian spirit arrives the priest-in-training is meant to fall into a state of unconsciousness and on regaining their senses was supposed to have returned to mankind. Finally, to become acknowledged as a priest the apprentice has to show his power by calling forth his tornak. If the apprentice failed to call their tornak after 10 attempts they had to give up their claim to becoming a priest, nonetheless they still remained a canny, or a peculiarly gifted person.

Fully qualified priests have more than one tornak which provided many services such as advising and informing spirits and assisting ones in danger, while others have revengeful, destructive powers. The priests were acknowledger or authorised teachers and judges on all issues relating to religious belief and so became at times a civil magistrate.

Best Deals

Related Trips

East and South Greenland Explorer, Incl. flight from Narsarsuaq to Copenhagen - Nexta Expeditions
Arctic
Longyearbyen

East and South Greenland Explorer, Incl. flight from Narsarsuaq to Copenhagen

calendar13 Aug 2025 - 02 Sep 2025
clock21 Days / 20 Nights
From $ 11.000 per person
Spitsbergen - Northeast Greenland - Aurora Borealis, Including Long Hikes - Nexta Expeditions
Arctic
Longyearbyen

Spitsbergen - Northeast Greenland - Aurora Borealis, Including Long Hikes

calendar23 Aug 2025 - 05 Sep 2025
clock14 Days / 13 Nights
From $ 7.450 per person
East Greenland, Scoresby Sund - Aurora Borealis, Including Long Hikes - Nexta Expeditions
Arctic
Akureyri

East Greenland, Scoresby Sund - Aurora Borealis, Including Long Hikes

calendar30 Aug 2025 - 08 Sep 2025
clock10 Days / 9 Nights
From $ 5.650 per person
South Greenland Explorer, Aurora Borealis, Incl. flight from Copenhagen to Narsarsuaq - Nexta Expeditions
Arctic
Narsarsuaq

South Greenland Explorer, Aurora Borealis, Incl. flight from Copenhagen to Narsarsuaq

calendar02 Sep 2025 - 11 Sep 2025
clock10 Days / 9 Nights
From $ 5.150 per person
East Greenland, Scoresby Sund - Aurora Borealis, Including Long Hikes - Nexta Expeditions
Arctic
Akureyri

East Greenland, Scoresby Sund - Aurora Borealis, Including Long Hikes

calendar05 Sep 2025 - 14 Sep 2025
clock10 Days / 9 Nights
From $ 5.650 per person
East Greenland - Scoresby Sund - Iceland, Aurora Borealis, Fly & Sail - Nexta Expeditions
Arctic
Constable Pynt

East Greenland - Scoresby Sund - Iceland, Aurora Borealis, Fly & Sail

calendar01 Oct 2025 - 12 Oct 2025
clock12 Days / 11 Nights
From $ 5.900 per person
Northeast Greenland Solar Eclipse Explorer Voyage - Nexta Expeditions
Arctic
Longyearbyen

Northeast Greenland Solar Eclipse Explorer Voyage

calendar02 Aug 2026 - 15 Aug 2026
clock14 Days / 13 Nights
From $ 8.550 per person
Northeast Greenland Solar Eclipse Explorer Voyage - Nexta Expeditions
Arctic
Longyearbyen

Northeast Greenland Solar Eclipse Explorer Voyage

calendar03 Aug 2026 - 16 Aug 2026
clock14 Days / 13 Nights
From $ 8.550 per person
Spitsbergen - Northeast Greenland, Fly & Sail - Nexta Expeditions
Arctic
Longyearbyen

Spitsbergen - Northeast Greenland, Fly & Sail

calendar12 Aug 2026 - 31 Aug 2026
clock20 Days / 19 Nights
From $ 9.350 per person
Northeast Greenland Extreme - Nexta Expeditions
Arctic
Akureyri

Northeast Greenland Extreme

calendar15 Aug 2026 - 28 Aug 2026
clock14 Days / 13 Nights
From $ 8.550 per person
East Greenland, Scoresby Sund, Including Long Hikes - Nexta Expeditions
Arctic
Akureyri

East Greenland, Scoresby Sund, Including Long Hikes

calendar16 Aug 2026 - 25 Aug 2026
clock10 Days / 9 Nights
From $ 5.900 per person
East & South Greenland Explorer – Aurora Borealis - Nexta Expeditions
Arctic
Akureyri

East & South Greenland Explorer – Aurora Borealis

calendar25 Aug 2026 - 08 Sep 2026
clock15 Days / 14 Nights
From $ 8.350 per person

Blog
go-leftgo-right

Arctic Icon: 10 Facts about the Polar Bear - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Arctic Icon: 10 Facts about the Polar Bear

Polar bears are to the Arctic what penguins are to Antarctica.
Graham Land: A landscape dominated by volcanoes - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Graham Land: A landscape dominated by volcanoes

An Antarctic cruise may explore the upper tip of the Antarctic Peninsula where one finds Graham Land, a jagged, glaciated part of Antarctica with a landscape dominated by volcanoes. Despite the volcanoes being over 200 million years old they are far from extinct with volcanic activity occurring today. Graham Land is connected to Palmer Land at the point where the Antarctic Peninsula widens from around 75 km to around 200 km south of Marguerite Bay.
Ancient Arctic Exploration - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Ancient Arctic Exploration

When it comes to polar exploration, the Arctic boasts a much longer history compared to Antarctica.
Hot Ice: Breeding Practices of Five Polar Animals - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Hot Ice: Breeding Practices of Five Polar Animals

Last Valentine's Day we gave you 14 wildlife pictures highlighting the ins, outs, ups, and downs of polar romance. This year we're moving on to something a little more advanced: the nitty-gritty details of polar wildlife breeding rituals.
Arctic and Antarctic Basecamp Cruises – Choose Your Own Adventure - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Arctic and Antarctic Basecamp Cruises – Choose Your Own Adventure

There’s an astonishing variety of activities to choose from when planning an Arctic trip or Antarctic cruise, which can be a bit overwhelming. How do you choose just one voyage over another when you want to experience everything? Happily, you don’t have to give up one activity for another. Basecamp cruises have you covered.
Earth vs. Mars: Polar Regions Compared - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Earth vs. Mars: Polar Regions Compared

It’s well-known that Mars, like Earth, has its own polar regions, often referred to as the Martian ice caps. These regions, similar to Earth's, are situated at the north and south poles and experience much lower temperatures compared to the areas in-between.
The Eight Albatrosses of Antarctica and the Sub-Antarctic - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

The Eight Albatrosses of Antarctica and the Sub-Antarctic

Our guests are typically wildlife enthusiasts, with a particular interest in bird life. While many bird lovers focus on the penguins we encounter, there's a smaller yet equally passionate group that favors the more airborne seabirds. Among this birdwatching subset, the albatross is a species that garners (and deserves) significant attention.
5 Life Lessons You'll Learn in Antarctica - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

5 Life Lessons You'll Learn in Antarctica

Embarking on a journey to the Antarctic might seem daunting. However, cruise lines strive to simplify the process as much as possible. They typically assist with travel insurance, guide you to the embarkation point, and advise on the appropriate clothing to bring.
The polar bear: king of the Arctic food chain - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

The polar bear: king of the Arctic food chain

As apex predators, polar bears reign supreme in the Arctic food chain. Only humans pose a threat to this massive and majestic species. But one look at these magnificent creatures explains why so many people embark on Arctic trips hoping to spot a polar bear in its natural habitat.
Polar Bear Sets Impressive New Diving Record - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Polar Bear Sets Impressive New Diving Record

According to polar bear experts Rinie van Meurs and Dr. Ian Stirling, the new record for polar bear diving is an astounding three minutes and 10 seconds. Unless this particular polar bear has an unusually large lung capacity, we can now safely assume that these creatures have the ability to remain underwater for an extended period of time.
Amazing Greenland - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Amazing Greenland

If you ever get the chance to take a trip to Greenland, you will be amazed by its coastlines, fjords, ice-covered peaks, and great expanse of snow-covered land. You will also notice that Greenland is a rugged area with a rich diversity of life, making it a dream location for scientists as well.
A Day of Basecamp in Antarctica – Paradise Harbour - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

A Day of Basecamp in Antarctica – Paradise Harbour

After an early morning gathering of our camping group, we reached the entrance to Lemaire Channel. The snow and mist around the mountain peaks created a captivating atmosphere as we began our journey to Paradise Bay. The channel was dotted with impressive icebergs, and we even spotted a few sleeping humpback whales, providing ample photo opportunities.
The Arctic Borderland of Kongsfjorden, Svalbard - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

The Arctic Borderland of Kongsfjorden, Svalbard

Kongsfjorden is a glacial fjord in Svalbard that hosts a diverse array of flora and fauna.
10 Books and Films To Prepare for your Antarctica cruise - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

10 Books and Films To Prepare for your Antarctica cruise

The deep sea remains one of the most mysterious and least explored regions on our planet. With its vast, dark expanses and unique ecosystems, it continues to captivate scientists and adventurers alike.
Secrets of the Snowy Owl: Habitat, Adaptations, and Other Facts - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Secrets of the Snowy Owl: Habitat, Adaptations, and Other Facts

The snowy owl (Bubo scandiacus), also known as the great white owl or Arctic owl, is one of the most distinctive bird species on the planet. While you won’t find them in all areas of the Arctic – they don’t exist in Svalbard due to the lack of lemmings – snowy owls are seen in the polar regions of Eurasia and North America and are a potential visitor during Greenland cruises. The binomial species name, “scandiacus,” is derived from Scandinavia, as this is where the bird was first discovered. The snowy owl is the official bird of Quebec, and they are a must-see for countless bird watchers and naturalists.
Birds of the South: 33 Antarctic Birds and Seabirds - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Birds of the South: 33 Antarctic Birds and Seabirds

Of the many compelling reasons people travel to Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic, bird life is among the most beloved.
Seven Facts About Antarctic and Sub-Antarctic Penguins - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Seven Facts About Antarctic and Sub-Antarctic Penguins

Approximately 50 million years ago, Antarctica was detaching from the vast supercontinent of Gondwana, and penguins were emerging as a distinct species. Initially native to warmer regions, they gradually adapted to the cooling climate of Antarctica as they ventured further south.
Hondius Photography and Video Workshops - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Hondius Photography and Video Workshops

There’s no shortage of great things to say about a Hondius expedition cruise, but among the best are the free video and photography workshops offered during some of this ship’s voyages. These informative, interactive, highly useful supplements allow you to not only capture your memories in the best way possible but also make your friends back home maddeningly jealous.
The Seven Best Things to Do in Antarctica - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

The Seven Best Things to Do in Antarctica

Unless you’re a scientist, there’s no such thing as a means-to-an-end trip to Antarctica.
International Polar Bear Day - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

International Polar Bear Day

It will come as no surprise to you that we're crazy about polar bears. We have multiple blogs about where to find polar bears, we offer dozens of polar bear trips, and we've even written a short story from a polar bear's point of view. (Yes, we actually did that.) So if you were to say that our love of polar bears borders on obsession, you wouldn't be far off.