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Christmas Eve is a significant celebration in Greenland, reflecting the country's Christian heritage which dates back to the early 18th century when the Moravian Brethren, a missionary group, began their work. Over time, Christianity spread across the island and became deeply rooted in Greenlandic culture.
Greenlandic Christmas traditions are a blend of Inuit customs and Danish influence due to historical ties with Denmark. On Christmas Eve, which is considered more important than Christmas Day, families attend church services. These services are often conducted in Greenlandic and feature hymns sung in the local language.
On this day, houses are decorated with stars and colorful lights. After church services, families gather for a festive meal that typically includes special dishes such as mattak (raw whale skin with blubber) or suaasat (a traditional soup made with rice, onions, potatoes, and meat from seal, whale, reindeer or seabirds). It is also common to exchange gifts on Christmas Eve.
The weeks leading up to Christmas include engaging activities like decorating town halls and other buildings with vibrant lights to counteract the polar night's darkness. Additionally, children go from house to house singing carols and are often rewarded with sweets for their performances.
In summary, Christmas Eve in Greenland is marked by religious observance, familial feasting on unique local dishes, gift-giving practices reminiscent of those found elsewhere but tailored to local customs, and cultural activities that bring light and joy during the long winter nights.
