The longer we live in Greenland, the more spiritual realities become evident. While researching the culture of the Inuit people as we prepared to launch, we began to get a sense of their enduring animistic worldview. Traditional shamans, known as angakkuit, (plural of angakkoq), have historically served as spiritual mediators, addressing sickness, banishing malevolent spirits, and safeguarding communities through ceremonial drumming and trance-induced spiritual journeys. These practices, steeped in ancient traditions, remain woven into the fabric of Greenlandic culture.
As we sat in the front chairs of the Katuaq cultural center, waiting to participate in Greenland’s Pentecost Day concert—Beryl on violin and Joe on saxophone—I struck up a conversation with another of the participants. The man explained his instrument to me, but soon our conversation took a new turn. “There are so many demons in apartments here in Nuuk. We have spirits of the dead and demons trapped between heaven and earth. Sometimes these spirits wander as ghosts into people’s homes. I am often called to help remove these demons,” Mr. Beat, a practicing shaman and drum beater, stated with stoic matter-of-factness.
“What about the angels?” we inquired.
“I don’t know about that. Christians have eroded 300 years of our good traditions,” he replied.
Mr. Beat represents the modern-day continuity of these animistic practices, performing rites that include exorcisms, healing rituals, and the cleansing of houses that people understand to be haunted. During a recent snowstorm, while practicing the lower keys of my saxophone in the basement of our home, I noticed the laughter of children outside. When I greeted them in Kalallisut with “Aluu!” they said, “We thought it was ghosts!” They laughed. “We are happy it is just music. You play well!”
Their playful response unveiled a profound cultural truth. Greenlanders often speak of encounters with the spirits of loved ones—restless souls that wander between heaven and earth. Many believe that these spirits will either join their ancestors or remain condemned to eternal wandering. To address these occurrences, they frequently summon the angakkuit to expel these spirits through sacred drum ceremonies.
As followers of Christ, Ephesians 6:10-18 rings powerfully. In verses 11-12, we read: “Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
The battle here is real; the enemy’s tactics ancient. There is victory only through Jesus Christ. We invite you to join us in prayer as we reveal to Greenlanders the true spiritual authority of Jesus Christ. Together, we stand firm against the forces of darkness, equipped with the strength and guidance of God.
