NOMAD LAND, our project in Greenland

“When the concept of human dominion over nature is questioned, the door opens for a multiplicity of relational bonds with fellow creatures and the world” (Skeen, 2013)

Why did we decide to begin the quest in Greenland?

In a world where the magical and mysterious seem to have faded into the background of modern life, it's easy to forget that myths and imagination have long been our guides to the wonders of nature and the sources of knowledge and social cohesion. Those who were more attuned to the natural world, the animal psyche, and the elements were once respected members of society, held in high esteem, and sought out for their wisdom. They possessed a deep understanding of how to live in harmony with nature and thrive. But in today's globalized world, who among us strives to see through the eyes of an eagle, sing like a whale, or stand tall like a tree? Where has our connection to the natural world gone? Where is the awe for the rarest and most precious thing in the universe – life, in all its forms? To learn more, visit our next article about this captivating project.

There's no denying that we're facing an environmental crisis of unprecedented proportions. The driving force behind "Nomad Land" is to raise awareness about the urgent need to care for nature through an artistic, inclusive, and multifaceted approach. This project fosters education and cultural exchange, helping people develop skills and stories that bring local perspectives to the global stage. We sincerely hope that you'll consider supporting us with your subscription to help us continue this vital work.

Summary

"Nomad Land" harnesses the creative expression of individuals, using filmmaking as a tool for personal growth and a means to raise awareness about the pressing need to act on climate change. The project will explore Greenlandic traditional stories that carry universal values about our connection to nature, bringing them to life through films, audio, and an online photo exhibition. By collaborating with local youth and Greenlandic artists, we aim to inspire other coastal communities in the Nordic countries to delve into their own myths and tales, sparking a conversation about the importance of reconnecting with nature, preserving traditional wisdom, and taking action to lead more sustainable lives.

About the project “NOMAD LAND"

There are places where the presence of nature is so awe-inspiring, so overwhelmingly beautiful and unforgiving, that it's almost impossible not to ponder our ancestral connection to it as a whole. In these places, it's easy to forget that life itself is a rare and precious gift, one that we too often take for granted.

In the intricate tapestry of interconnected realities that we call life, one could argue that local voices should have the opportunity to shape the representation of their futures, express their opinions, and influence the world around them. However, this isn't always the case, especially when those voices speak of ways of life that have been largely erased by globalization, or when they express a worldview that can only be fully understood within the broader context of our connection to nature.

But the series of short films we want to create with your help, which explore the relationship between mythology and nature, isn't just about the wisdom and enlightenment of the past. This series is about today and tomorrow, and the need to look back and reclaim something we've lost along the path to modernity.

Here are the names of some of the myths we would like to explore, mixed with our images (Nicklas Levin) and the music from our previous documentary (Arturo Cardelús).

Greenlandic mythical creatures

CREATURES CAST DESCRIPTION
Clip above

Although there is much research to do into finding the creatures or stories that the series will cover, here is a list of some of them that interest us. In collaboration with the Greenland National Museum & Archives and local storytellers, we will give depth to these figures.

AAJUMAAQ - The sleeved one - Narrator

“AAJUMAAQ is known and feared across all of Greenland; it has served as a helper spirit to some of the greatest angakkut such as Naaja, Maratsi… and others. AAJUMAAQ not only acts as a helper spirit, but also as a creature of vengeance when an angakkoq uses it to attack his enemies. It often accompanies an angakkoq on his spiritual journey to the other world as its strength makes it a powerful weapon against evil spirits or enemies wanting to kill the angakkuq on his travels. But first, the angakkuq needs to master or ally himself with the helper spirit.”

AASSIK - The giant worm

“AASSIK is a giant worm that appears in many different stories across Greenland. It is often found near the dogs’ hitching posts where it lives in a hole underground and tries to eat the puppies”

IKKIILLINEQANNGEQQISSAARTOQ - Who never gets blunt

“IKKIILLINEQANNGEQQISSAARTOQ is a creature with an incredibly hard sharp saw or a long pointy knife blade on its back. To defend itself, it will jump up with its back to its attacker and cut them.”

AMAROQ - The Wolf

AMAROQ is a giant wolf that haunts the edge of the ice cap and the icecap itself. It likes to make its den on plains with cotton grass. Here it feeds on reindeer and it is so big that it can carry a whole reindeer in its mouth.

IMMAP NANUA - The bear of the sea

"IMMAP NANUA is a huge polar bear. It is not to be confused with NAPPAASILAT or SERMILISSUAQ because this bear is so big that it can wade through fjords and only gets wet up to its waist.”

NAPPAASILAT - The spirit bear

NAPPAASILAT is a big polar bear with bluish fur and a neck that is almost as wide as its body. It is most often found in inland lakes.

"… It can have several functions, but acts primarily as a kind of portal for an apprentice angakkuq so that he can become a fully-fledged angakkuq.”

QAJARIAQ - The giant kayak man

The seas, the waters are his domain and contemplation. "QAJARIAQ can be seriously bloodthirsty and aggressive and has a habit of tying body parts from anyone he kills to his qajaq. He can cause bad weather by blowing into a small pipe which brings about a storm.”

QAQQAT NAALAGAAT - The lord of the mountains

"QAQQAT NAALAGAAT is the biggest and steepest of all the mountains and can, with the help of a skilled angakkuq, feed a starving settlement.”

MALIINA - The Sun

“MALIINA is a beautiful young woman who wanders across the sky during the day. She only has one breast and holds a torch made from moss with which she lights up the world.”

KILIFFAK - The Scraper

“KILIFFAK is a big, long-haired creature with six legs, and sometimes ten – It is bigger than a polar bear and has a long body due to its many legs.“

QIVITTUT - Mountain wanderers

“QIVITTUT are known and found across all of Greenland, both older and newer times. They are created when someone leaves their settlement in shame, anger, or grief. This person will walk far across the mountains or the icecap in order to sever contact with all other people, and live either in solitude or together with other QIVITTUT”

Notes on creatures taken from the book “Bestiarium Groenlandica”

Thanks for reading!