Tupilak
Literally "spirit" or "soul of an ancestor", tupilaks represent a strong symbol of the ancient culture of Greenland's Inuit. In ancient times, tupilaks referred to a harmful spiritual force and were used as tools of vengeance against enemies. In a secret ritual, the shaman(angakoq) would then breathe life into it through incantations. But don't be frightened: today's tupilaks are harmless! The spirit can take on many different forms, as it is often inspired by different animal parts: for example, it can have the head of a bear, the body of a seal, the paws of a fox... Today, they have become art objects and souvenirs, made from a variety of materials such as reindeer antler, stone or ivory. You'll find them in all the country's workshop-shops, and it's also possible to visit the workshops themselves. Beware, however, as it is forbidden to export ivory ones. Tupilaks are also highly prized by art lovers the world over, especially those from the East, renowned for their finesse. Some even believe that they have inspired artists such as Picasso. Don't forget to pay a visit to the handicraft workshops that can be found in most towns and villages: a great opportunity to see the sculptors at work, but also to buy your pieces directly from the craftsman.
Ulu
You'll find the traditional ulu (pronounced "oulou") everywhere. This is an ancestral half-moon-shaped knife used by women to remove and clean animal skins, as well as for cooking. Its shape allows gestures, strength and precision impossible with the straight blade of a European knife. Traditionally, the ulu was made of reindeer antler for the handle and a cutting blade of flint or slate (due to the lack of metal in the Arctic), but the handle could also be made of bone or wood. Today, the handle is still made of wood or ivory, but the blade is steel. The ulu makes a lovely souvenir. However, once again, beware of export conditions.
Masks, mouthpieces and dolls
Why not combine it with a wooden mask (often from the Tasiilaq region) worn during community dances or plays? These are genuine wooden creations, sometimes enhanced with fur inlays or leather adorned with animal teeth and bird feathers. While they often express a grimace, anguish or pain, they are sometimes pure abstraction. Rarer are the "bouche-plaies", which are man-, woman- or spirit-headed plugs made from driftwood and used to obstruct a scar on a sea animal wounded by a harpoon or bullet. In this way, the blood was preserved, the flesh uncontaminated by salt water, and the body did not sink. Early dolls and figurines, almost impossible to find today, were carved from wood and wrapped in sealskin and bird feathers. Fragile, few have withstood the test of time, and you'll be able to see some of them in certain museums.
Clothing and accessories
While the most prized souvenir remains the handmade tupilak, renowned for its magical powers, the warm clothing of the Inuit is a sure bet. Even today, they surpass many sophisticated outfits in quality. Greenlanders dress in European fashion, except in winter, when some continue to wear traditional waterproof and sturdy sealskin boots(kamik) with lichen slipped between the soles. At The Great Tannery in Qaqortoq, where you'll find a wide selection of clothing and accessories, sealskin accessories are reputed to be of the highest quality. Men frequently wear traditional hunting outfits, including the famous polar bear pants and reindeer skin anorak, which prevent perspiration, which is dangerous in the polar regions. Underwear used to be made of bird skin, including a thong on display at the Nuuk National Museum! On feast days, women continue to wear the traditional costume of thigh-high boots, sealskin shorts and pearl necklaces, all elaborately embroidered and decorated. The Eastern costume differs from that of the West, with each color having its own particular significance. The white anorak and black pants remain the men's festive costume, and custom-made ones can be ordered from the Mersortarfik boutique in Ilulissat. All these items can be seen in museums, including the National Museum in Nuuk, and, above all, the Kittat Economusée in Nuuk, which is dedicated to this tradition and where you can also order or hire your own costume. Because of its price and the exceptional finesse of its workmanship, the traditional costume is rarely chosen as a souvenir gift.
Musk ox skins and other accessories made from the wool of the same animal (gloves, hats, scarves, plaids, balls, etc.) are also popular, as are the magnificent horns.
Stones and other ideas
Jewelry made from bone or precious stones (soapstone, gold, tugtupite...) directly inspired by Inuit symbols also remains a firm favorite. Some boutiques, like the Glacier Shop in Ilulissat, sell magnificent semi-precious stones, and there's even one in Paris in the 11th arrondissement called La Roche Mère (Pierres du Groenland). Or why not pick up some geological stones yourself in the south of the country?
Other ideas for items to bring back with you on your trip include: tea or jam made from Greenlandic flowers, spices, statues and figurines carved from reindeer antlers or soapstone, vacuum-packed reindeer sausage, a Greenlandic music CD, a beautiful photo book..
For art lovers, the Glas & Ramme gallery in Nuuk is a great place to start collecting Inuit art. You'll find paintings, lithographs, prints, posters, watercolors, woodcuts, maps, frames, photos and much more!
CITES and the right to export
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, known by its acronym CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) or as the Washington Convention, is an international agreement between states. Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten the survival of the species to which they belong. The attached CITES table will help you to understand what you can and cannot export. Remember that illegal export or failure to obtain a permit may result in confiscation of the goods and a fine. Species not covered by CITES in the table indicate that they are not endangered. However, it should be noted that CITES authorization for the export of certain products does not necessarily imply authorization to bring them back to your country, which does not always have the same legislation. Find out more.
