Tupilak
Literally "spirit" or "soul of an ancestor", the tupilaks are a strong symbol of the ancient culture of the Inuit of Greenland. In the past, tupilaks referred to a harmful spiritual force and were used as tools of revenge against enemies. During a secret ritual, the shaman(angakoq) would breathe life into them through incantations. But don't be afraid, today's tupilaks are harmless! The spirit can take many different forms, as it is often inspired by different parts of animals: for example, it can have a bear's head, a seal's body, fox's paws... Nowadays, they have become objects of art and souvenirs and are made from various materials such as reindeer antlers, stone or ivory. You will find them in all the shops and workshops of the country with the possibility to visit the workshops. Be careful however, it is forbidden to export those made of ivory. Tupilaks are also very popular with art lovers from all over the world, especially those from the east, who are renowned for their finesse. Some even believe that they have inspired artists such as Picasso. Consider taking a tour of the craft workshops that can be found in most towns and villages: a great opportunity to see the sculptors at work, but also to buy their pieces directly from the craftsman.
Ulu
Very common, you will find the traditional ulu (pronounced "oulou") everywhere. It is an ancestral knife in the shape of a half-moon reserved for women to remove and clean the skin of animals, but also 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 sharp 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 made of steel. The ulu is a nice object to bring back as a souvenir. However, beware again of the 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? They are real wooden creations, sometimes enhanced with fur inlays or leather adorned with animal teeth and bird feathers. While they often express grimace, anguish or pain, they are sometimes pure abstraction. Rarer, more unusual are the man-, woman- or spirit-headed plugs made of driftwood, which were used to block a scar on a marine animal wounded by a harpoon or bullet. The blood was thus preserved, the flesh was not contaminated by salt water and the remains did not sink. Ancient dolls and figurines, almost impossible to find today, were carved from wood and covered with sealskin and bird feathers. Fragile, few have withstood the test of time, and you will be able to observe them in some museums.
Clothing and accessories
If the most prized souvenir remains the handcrafted tupilak, renowned for its magical powers, the warm clothing of the Inuit is a sure value. Even today, they still surpass in quality many sophisticated pieces of equipment. The Greenlanders dress in European fashion, except in winter, when some still wear traditional sealskin boots (kamik), for example, which are waterproof and sturdy, with lichen slipped between the soles. Sealskin accessories are reputed to be of very good quality at The Great Tannery store in Qaqortoq where you will find a wide selection of clothing and accessories. Men frequently wear traditional hunting clothing, including the famous polar bear pants and reindeer skin anorak, which prevent sweating, which is dangerous in the polar regions. Undergarments were once made of bird skin, including a thong that can be seen at the National Museum in Nuuk! On festive days, women continue to wear the traditional costume consisting of waders, sealskin shorts and a pearl necklace, all meticulously embroidered and decorated. The costume of the east differs from that of the west, with a particular meaning attributed to each colour. The white anorak and black trousers remain the festive costume of the men, it is possible to order a custom-made one at the Mersortarfik shop in Ilulissat. All these pieces can be seen in museums, including the National Museum of Nuuk, but especially at the Kittat Economusée
in Nuuk dedicated to this tradition and where it is also possible to order or rent one's own costume. Because of its price and exceptionally fine workmanship, it is rarer to opt for the traditional costume as a souvenir gift. Musk ox skins and other woollen accessories made from the same animal (gloves, hats, scarves, plaids, balls, etc.) are also popular, not to mention its magnificent horns.Stones and other ideas
Jewellery made from bone or precious stones (steatite, gold, tugtupite...) directly inspired by Inuit symbols also remains a firm favourite. Some shops such as the Glacier Shop in Ilulissat sell magnificent semi-precious stones, and even one in Paris in the 11th arrondissement called Pierres du Groenland. Why not pick up geological stones yourself in the south of the country?
Other ideas for things to bring back with you on your trip: tea or jam made from Greenlandic flowers, spices, statues and figurines carved from reindeer antlers or soapstone, vacuum-packed reindeer sausage, a CD of Greenlandic music, a beautiful photo book
... For art lovers, the Glas & Ramme and Malinanguaq galleries in Nuuk can be great opportunities to start collecting Inuit art. You will find paintings, lithographs, prints, posters, watercolours, 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 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 in summary form what you are allowed to export and what you are not allowed to export. Remember that illegal export or failure to obtain a permit may result in confiscation of property and a fine. Non-CITES species in the table indicate that they are not threatened. However, it should be noted that CITES authorization to export certain products does not necessarily imply authorization to bring them back to your country, which may not always have the same legislation. Ask for more information.
