Utilisation of the musk ox

Musk ox wool - qiviut
Handicrafts made of musk ox wool, qiviut, are very exclusive items to buy during your stay in Greenland. The musk ox wool is collected from bushes where the animals have been roaming or directly from the animal’s coat after the hunting season.

Musk ox skin and horns

The pieces of wool are cleaned and spun, after which the yarn is used to make Greenlandic cuffs, sweaters, knee-warmers, shawls, hats, infant underclothes, etc. At several places in Greenland it is also possible to buy fully spun balls of musk ox yarn that have been made from wool removed from the musk ox hides that have been purchased after the hunting season in Kangerlussuaq.

Meat and musk ox hide
The sustainable, commercial hunting of musk ox has led to musk ox dishes being served almost everywhere throughout Greenland, particularly at the better restaurants and hotels. The large hides from musk oxen are primarily used as rugs or sleeping mats in cabins or simply as a trophy.

Musk ox horns and head
The head and horns of the musk ox are for the trophy hunter usually the most important part of the musk ox, where the meat and hide usually go to the gatherer who is accompanying the trophy hunter. Among Greenlanders the horns are used to make jewellery, knife shafts, handicrafts and other carving work.

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