Most towns have small, active shops and workshops with arts and
crafts. Drop in and learn about this Greenlandic tradition. Nearly
all of nature's materials are used in Greenlandic art and
crafts.
Greenlandic souvenirs are not mass produced. They are handmade
arts and crafts, created and designed by artists - characterised by
traditions and customs, but each one leaving their own individual
imprint.
Precious stones and tupilaks
Popular souvenirs are jewellery made from bones, stones and
minerals. The south Greenlandic mountains are particularly rich in
precious stones - garnets, rubies, moon stones and the sough-after
and very beautiful tugtupite, an almost entirely Greenlandic
phenomenon. Figurines and lamps crafted from soapstone and tupilaks
also make popular souvenirs. The tupilak was originally a symbol of
a creature that could bring death and misfortune to an enemy. Today
the tupilaks are made for more peaceful purposes, such as ornaments
for your home. They are hand-carved in walrus tooth or reindeer
antlers, and no two are the same.
Seals a part of the culture
Seal skin is a story in itself, and there are many different
products made from it. Great Greenland and other local producers
and sewing rooms have tried to combine craft-based traditions with
modern design and technology. Dressing in seal skin products is
like dressing in the essence of the country's culture and
nature.
Keep your paperwork in order
Remember to get a CITES certificate when buying souvenirs
originating from parts of wild animals in Greenland. CITES stands
for "Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of
wild flora and fauna". The regulations and the CITES certificate
makes it possible to follow the extent of trade of certain
endangered or partly endangered animal species.