On December 21st, we celebrate the Winter Solstice – the day when darkness is at its peak, and we mark that the light slowly begins to return. For generations, Inuit in Greenland have had special traditions associated with this day, where hope, renewal and community go hand in hand.
Inuit traditions
For Inuit, the winter solstice was a time to gather with family and strengthen the bonds of community. Storytelling, singing, drumming and games were important elements of the celebration. These traditions created warmth and joy in the midst of the darkness and strengthened the cohesion of the community.
In some traditions, rituals were performed to ensure the return of the sun. People expressed gratitude for nature’s gifts and hoped for a good and bright year. On this darkest day of the year, for some, it is also a time to change your wardrobe.
Winter Solstice Today
Today is December 21, the winter solstice – Ullukinneq – a day that our ancestors marked with great importance, and which still reminds us of the inevitable return of light.
The winter solstice is not only a mark of nature’s change, but also a symbol of renewal. The darkness reminds us of life’s challenges, while the return of the sun symbolizes hope and a new beginning. The light, which slowly returns, reminds us that even in the darkest times, light will always find its way.
Although the tradition has begun to be overtaken by the modern Christmas, many Greenlanders still mark this day with family gatherings and celebrate the day with all the goodness that the sea and the landscape have to offer. In recent years, there has also been a debate about whether the day should be a day off, as it is a day of great importance in Greenlandic culture. Around Greenland, the day is also celebrated in cultural centers and museums and other places.
Aassuutit: Guardians of the Light
It is said that our ancestors believed that in ancient times the sun was overcome by polar darkness and sank deeper and deeper into the sky. Eventually, there was fear that the sun would disappear completely, leaving us in eternal darkness. But this fateful fall was prevented by Aassuutit – the two small stars, Altair and Tarazed.
Aassuutit pulled the sun back up and has since then guarded it when it begins to sink. When the sun begins its ascent again, Aassuutit appears to people as messengers of hope and light – a sign that the darkness will soon release its grip and that the light will return.
What happens to the light?
The winter solstice is the shortest day of the year and the longest night. The sun is lowest in the sky, and north of the Arctic Circle it does not rise at all during this time. For the Inuit of old, where everyday life was closely connected to the rhythm of nature, this phenomenon had great significance. The absence of the sun can be a time of challenges, but also a time of reflection and togetherness.
After the winter solstice, the sun slowly begins to return. The light increases day by day, and with it comes a sense of hope and optimism. It is a turning point where one celebrates the cycle of life and looks forward to brighter times.
Greetings to everyone on Ullukinneq
On this special day, we wish everyone in Greenland and the world a happy Ullukinneq! Ullukinneq in Greenlandic means shortest day. May the light bring warmth, hope and renewal to you and your families. Let us celebrate our roots, our community and the traditions that have carried us through generations.
The winter solstice marks the return of the light – and with it comes new opportunities and new beginnings.
Happy Ullukinneq!
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