Publikationer

Communication | Formidling

In Kalaallit Nunaat, many stories—especially from hunters—tell of sightings or encounters with qivittut (singular: qivittoq). A qivittoq is someone who has abandoned society, often driven by shame, anger, jealousy, or despair, and seeks to survive alone in the wilderness. According to legend, they e… In Kalaallit Nunaat, many stories—especially from hunters—tell of sightings or encounters with qivittut (singular: qivittoq). A qivittoq is someone who has abandoned society, often driven by shame, anger, jealousy, or despair, and seeks to survive alone in the wilderness. According to legend, they eventually gain supernatural powers, can take the shape of animals, or move incredibly fast across the landscape. Feared as vengeful and dangerous, their stories serve as cautionary tales about the consequences of isolation. Deeply rooted in Inuit culture, the qivittoq tradition appears in both ancient legends and modern literature and film. Even today, there are reports of encounters in Kalaallit Nunaat, especially in fjords during spring, summer, and early autumn. I have long wanted to survey specific fjords to document locations linked to qivittoq sightings. But can we trace the qivittoq in the archaeological landscape? And is it even possible? This paper explores examples and key questions. Læs mere