Mythical Monsters of Greenland: A Survival Guide

What should you do if you encounter a Qivittoq? Can you outrun the fabled Ikusik? And what is a Tupilak made of?

About 4500 years ago, the first Inuit landed in Greenland via North America, bringing with them stories about the mythical beings that lived alongside them. These creatures and monsters have survived the ravages of time and tide, although they have sometimes had to re-invent themselves to fit the modern world.

This handy pocket guide will help guide you through the do’s and don’ts should you encounter any of these creatures in the Arctic wilderness.

Happy hunting!

Maria Bach Kreutzmann was born and bred in Nuuk, and has been fascinated by monsters ever since she was a little girl. She has used Greenlandic mythology and all its colourful creatures in many of her personal projects and has long dreamt of sharing Greenlandic stories in a new and unique way. She graduated from the Animation Workshop in Viborg, Denmark, in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in Computer Graphics Art. Since then she has worked in the gaming and advertising industry in Denmark and the UK. In January 2017 she moved back to Nuuk, and has since then worked on the Greenlandic film, culture, and literature scene as an illustrator and project manager with her company, Glaciem House.

Coco Apunnguaq Lynge is a Kalaaleq/Danish illustrator and artist. She was born in Greenland and raised in Denmark, which has made her long for her Greenlandic roots. This longing often expresses itself through her personal work. She is a graduate of The Animation Workshop in Denmark, and has also studied multimedia and fashion design.