Documentation and dissemination of the history of Denmark in Greenland and the Arctic

The database Greenlandic Myths and Stories is compiled by senior researcher Birgitte Sonne.

Greenlandic Myths & Stories consists of approximately 2150 translated stories or summaries and an addition of roughly 130 myths & stories that have only been registered. The materials used in the database are from collections by eg. Heinrich Rink, Knud Rasmussen, Gustav Holm, William Thalbitzer, Erik Holtved, Paul-Émile Victor, Jens Rosing, Otto Sandgren, Hans Lynge, Mâliâraq Vebæk and Martêraq Nielsen. Sonne has composed a comprehensive introduction to the database, which you can find here:

Search in the database >

 

A comprehensive document written by Birgitte Sonne (118 pages in Danish), explains how to use the database and how to interpret the stories. The document refers to these topics: 

  • Examples of using the database 
  • Translation of culture 
  • Changes of attitude
  • European merchandises 
  • Demographics and mobility
  • Traditional religion and Christianity
  • Pooq, bag, mother - a metaphor for life 

Download the document (PDF) here > 

"Greenlandic Myths & Stories" is compiled by Birgitte Sonne, born. 4. Jan 1936, MA in sociology of religion, retired in 2006 from Eskimology and Arctic Studies, Dep. of Cross-Cultural and Regional Studies, University of Copenhagen. She still carries out research. 

Contact: bbsonne81@remove-this.gmail.com.