Everyday life in Maniitsoq
 

The town of Maniitsoq and the 3 settlements has been hunting and fishing communities for ages. Fishing is still the lifeline of the community. Fishing for Shrimps and King Crabs are dominant.
 
The traditional hunt for sea animals and birds has survived, though kayak and spear has been replaced by motorboats and rifles.
 
Hunting and fishing is also the most common leisure activity. From May to October there is an intense traffic of small boats in the skerries and fiords. Many families spent most of the summer camping on the sites, where their family has had their hunting and fishing grounds for centuries. Some have made cottages, others still prefer to stay in tents. During the summer the catch is smoked, salted or dried for the winter.
 
On the local market, called " brædtet ", fresh fish, birds and various sea animals are on sale. " Brædtet " also serves as meeting point for the locals, here news and gossip are exchanged.
 
During a visit in Greenland you may hear the word "kaffemik". A birthday in the family or any other good opportunity will provoke a "kaffemik". Then anyone acquainted with the family is invited at home for coffee and cake, normally 7 different types of cakes tarts and biscuits are served. You come and go as you like, and there is constant coming and going all day long. Don't miss it, if you get the chance.
 
On special occasions like christening, first day in school, confirmation and weddings many people wear the beautiful national costume.

 

 
The national day on June 21st is an important day in the community. People gather in the morning in front of the town hall to meet with the town council. Later almost everybody goes to church. The rest of the day and night there are various activities, music and dance. People also go for a picnic in the mountains, bringing the traditional Greenlandic food (dried fish, seal and whale meat, boiled seal soup, shrimps) and the speciality of the day, angelica.
 
The people of Greenland like to sing. Maniitsoq has 3 choirs, one of them being the oldest choir in Greenland, founded in 1918.
 
The production of arts and crafts is very common. The handicraft products are made of sealskin, bones from whales and reindeer and stone, especially soap stone.