Greenlandic transportation then VS today

Greenlandic culture and lifestyle have changed like any other place on earth. We are keeping up with the changes, but we are still very proud of who our grandparents were. We adapt and keep on adapting our traditions from our culture, lifestyle, fashion, etc. to the modern lifestyle we have now.

Above you see what my ancestors used for transportation during summer. The men would go on a qajaq (kayak), while the women and the children went with the big Umiak.  

The Greenlandic qajaq weighed about 26 pounds (12 kg) and were about 18-20 feet (5.5-6 m) long and 20 inches (51 cm) wide.
Seal skins were stripped of hair, dried, and used as a frame.

Today we still see some real qajaq’s around but many have started to use modern kayaks made of fiberglass. But still, the enjoyment of being on the water is in the people even though it might be for fun and not for hunting:)  

And for the boats, only gets bigger and bigger. We have many cruises coming by during the summer from around the world, but for transportation, there is a ferry that sails along the west coast. (The picture below). Many locals visit their families through this transportation because there aren´t any roads connecting the towns. So either you go by flight or boat. 

The picture below is an evening cruise with tourists, but this boat also sails from Disco Bay from one town to another, and from village to village. Some transportation is bigger, some smaller, depending on the season and the area in Greenland they sail in. 

Looking for a boat shuttle from Ilimanaq to Ilulissat? Click here.

Want to try some kayaking tours? Look at our various tours here.

Interested in visiting Greenland, look at our many tours here.

Read more travel blogs from Laali Berthelsen

Laali Berthelsen

Laali Berthelsen, 38 years Born and raised in Nuuk, Greenland Self-employed Working in the health and tourism industry. I´ve been working with tourism since 2008 in Greenland and abroad, as a tour leader, expedition guide, destination guide, VIP guide, etc. and have travelled for many years both for work and pleasure. I have also had many different projects, like: - Personal development courses for the youth and adults in Greenland (mostly for social damaged groups) - Health courses for companies and schools - Working as an consultant at The Sports Confederation of Greenland Following are my degrees: - 2009 Service economist, tourism as specialty - 2012 Fitness instructor - 2015 Personal trainer - 2016 Nutritionist - 2019 Positive psychology supervisor

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