On tour with Inuit hunters
Deeply ingrained hunting culture
In touch with Inuit culture – go fishing or hunting in the deep blue fjords with the Inuit hunter. Formerly the abundant fish and seal sources ensured the Inuits’ survival in a harsh environment. Still today the fishing and the hunt play an important role in the Inuits’ life, even though they can buy many imported foods from the European continent and Iceland in the local supermarket. Deeply anchored in their culture, the hunter and his family are proud of their skills and tightly connected to the surrounding wildlife.
This connection drives the hunter out into the vast expanse of the Arctic Ocean. Only there does he truly feel free and at home. For Greenlandic festivals, the seal, wale or polar bear are on the menu. The traditional menu with hunted ingredients is highly valued in East Greenland. To the question about the most preferred meal many locals answer: polar bear.
Learn what it means to depend
on foraging while on the hunt.
The seal
Since the settlement of East Greenland, the seal as a staple food has become part of the life and culture of the people. Young, baby seals were never and are never being hunted. When you accompany the indigenous hunter, you will have the chance to observe the preparations. You may also have an opportunity to watch the dressing of a seal or the rewarding of the dogs with part of the catch.
The codfish is the most common fish for catching in the region. The Inuit hang it out to dry it infront of their houses.
The small Amasettes gave the greenlandic name to the region Amassalik.
The Greenlandic Salmon
The Atlantic Salmon is one of the last pure natural uncontaminated species of fish on our planet. It grows in 4 to 5 years entirely free and naturally healthy in the clean and clear waters of the northern Atlantic around Greenland. The commercialisation of this animal is regulated in the convention of species protection and strongly prohibited. Other fish live in the waters around Tasiilaq, including the codfish, Jon Dory, Rotfish, catfish, black halibut, Greenland shark and salmon trout. Particularly the Ammassetts appear in large numbers and give name to the Ammassalik district.
Whales
Around 15 species of whale pass through the Greenlandic Sea throughout the year. In the summer months your are most likely to see mostly humpback whale, mink whale, finback whale and smaller whales like porpoise. With some luck you may also catch a glimpse of the narwhale, the unicorn of the ocean. It weighs between 800 and 1600 kg. The left-twisted tusk of males, up to 3 meters long and adding to the average body length of 4 to 6 meters, mainly serves in mating battles.
Tours
Hunters are outside summer and winter in heavy ice, fog and sunshine alike. We are pleased to advise you locally on how best to have a great, authentic adventure. Half day or full day tours – also in combination with dog sledges – are possible exclusively with local fishermen and hunters. In summer there is the special chance to sail with a hunter in the golden midnight sun through a world of diverse fjords. On weekends the whole family sails for hunting and also the smallest are on board.