Utilisation of the reindeer

Reindeer hunting
For the inhabitants of Greenland the reindeer has made up a major part of their staple diet and indeed continues to be a supplement to their diet today. Reindeer hunting takes place in Greenland in the late summer and autumn, as well as in certain areas during winter and spring. Today both commercial hunters and recreational hunters have the right to go reindeer hunting if they have a valid game licence and a licence to shoot animals.

Isortoq Reindeer Station

Reindeer meat for cooking
Meat and offal from reindeer are good alternatives to beef/pork. Reindeer meat can be cooked in many different ways, for example as soup, as a roast or as a casserole dish. Traditionally the meat is also dried and can be eaten as a snack. Today snack sausages and smoked reindeer meat are also produced.

Reindeer hide as insulation
Reindeer hide is not particularly hard-wearing, but on the other hand has excellent insulating properties. Reindeer hide is therefore the preferred hide for use on the dogsled or as a sleeping mat. In the northernmost parts of Greenland, it is also used for anoraks and as the inner kamiks for the women’s Thule costume.

Antlers and hooves as tools and souvenirs
Reindeer antlers were previously used as a material for making various tools. Today the antlers and hooves are often used by artists to make tupilaks, jewellery, knife shafts, etc.

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