Bestiarium Greenlandica: A Compendium of the Mythical Creatures, Spirits, and Strange Beings of Greenland - Hardcover

by Maria Bach Kreutzmann (Editor), Engell Ujammiugaq (Introduction by), Agust Kristinsson (Illustrator)

Meet the motley crew of dangerous, cheeky, and fantastical beings of Greenland!

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The world of Greenlandic mythology is inhabited by creatures that have played a vital role in Inuit beliefs and stories throughout the ages. The Bestiarium is a collection of what is generally known about these diverse beings, spirits, and animals. Their stories are gritty, cruel, and reflect from the harsh landscape and lifestyle of ancient Greenland. Descriptions are paired with illustrations by contemporary Greenlandic illustrators that transport these mythological beings into the 21st Century. A brief history of Greenland and the shaman tradition launches the reader into the ancient world of Greenland and how myth and legend told generation after generation can mould and depict a place that was dark and grim as mischievous and lively and full of natural wonders.

Now available in North America as part of Eye of Newt's specialty series, Wool of Bat, which is focused on the preservation and promotion of folklore and oral history from around the world. This edition of the Bestiarium features re-translated and edited chapter on "Shamans, witches, and witchcraft" by Robin Fenrir Mansa Hillestr m.

Author Biography

Maria Bach Kreutzmann was born and bred in Nuuk, and has been fascinated by monsters ever since she was a little girl. She has used Greenlandic mythology and all its colourful creatures in many of her personal projects and has long dreamt of sharing Greenlandic stories in a new and unique way. She graduated from the Animation Workshop in Viborg, Denmark, in 2012, with a bachelor's degree in Computer Graphics Art. Since then she has worked in the gaming and advertising industry in Denmark and the UK. In January 2017 she moved back to Nuuk, and has since then worked on the Greenlandic film, culture, and literature scene as an illustrator and project manager with her company, Glaciem House. She is the lead editor, a researcher, and an illustrator for this project.

Ujammiugaq Engell was born and bred in Nuuk, where she now lives with her family. She spent some years in Denmark where she read History and Curating at University of Copenhagen. Today she works as a communication manager at Greenland's National Museum and Archives. Due to her Greenlandic-Danish background, Ujammiugaq has always had a particular interest in sagas and myths as well as the history of the Danish Commonwealth, which she works to share and promote every day.

Robin Fenrir Mansa Hillestrøm was born and grew up in Nordsjælland, Denmark, but a series of unexpected events brought him ever closer to Greenland. He studied Culture and Modern History at the University of Greenland, Ilisimatusarfik, having previously read History at the University of Copenhagen. Robin lives in Nuuk where he enjoys the weather and the wonderful view, while he wonders how the past can be shared to make it relevant and help us better understand each other and the world around us.

Qivioq Nivi Løvstrøm grew up in Nuuk and Ilulissat with stories about SASSUMA ARNAA and ghost stories about IKUSIK, the northern lights, and QIVITTUT. Qivioq has previously studied Inuit Cultures, Arctic Archaeology and History & Subject Didactics. She is currently studying Culture and Modern History at the University of Greenland, Ilisimatusarfik. She still refuses to whistle at the northern lights.

Agust Kristinsson is an Icelandic artist who graduated from the Animation Workshop in Viborg, Denmark, in 2012, with a bachelor's degree in Computer Graphics Art. Since then he has worked in the gaming industry and has so far been art director on two games released on PlayStation and Xbox. He has been freelance since 2017 and has added Motion Graphics to his skills--and has barely left his workstation ever since. From there he has worked on countless illustrations, a game, and various Motion Graphics projects.

Carina Lillegaard Løvgreen graduated with a bachelor's degree in Character Animation from the Animation Workshop in Viborg, Denmark, in 2012. Since 2014 she has worked as a supervisor for Characters for the LEGO Ninjago TV series. Ever since childhood she has loved horses and the X-Men universe which, together with her degree, has made her the artist she is today. She has really enjoyed gaining an insight into traditional Greenlandic culture and drawing mythical creatures for this book.

Christian Fleischer Rex is a Greenlandic animator and illustrator who studied classic animation at the Animation Workshop in Viborg, Denmark. Christian has worked on several animated movies in Europe, including "Asterix and the Vikings." Today Christian lives in Nuuk where he runs his own production company, Deluxus Studio. Here he produces animation, animated explainer videos, illustrations and storyboards, and designs logos for businesses and organizations. In 2008 Christian published the comic "Kaassassuk - the orphan," based on a Greenlandic story of the same name.

Coco Apunnguaq Lynge is an illustrator and visual artist. She specializes in drawing simple, beautiful, and colourful illustrations and characters. Throughout her childhood she was fascinated by cartoons and design, which continue to provide her with inspiration and passion. Coco was born in Nuuk where she lived until she was five years old, after which she moved with her mother and younger sister to Denmark. She has always been proud of her Inuit heritage and was delighted when she was asked to illustrate the Greenlandic mythical creatures in this book.

Jonatan Brüsch graduated from the Animation Workshop in 2012 with a bachelor's degree in Computer Graphics Art. He has studied at several art colleges and has always been passionate about traditional and digital art. Since finishing his studies, Jonatan has worked on everything from TV series to computer games in places such as Denmark, Germany, and Iceland. He has really enjoyed this project and feels it has given him a better understanding and insight into Greenland's culture and history.

Maja-Lisa Kehlet was born and bred in Nuuk and grew up in a family where art and music were highly valued. She travelled to Denmark at the age of 16 to continue her education and went on to study at the Animation Workshop where she was awarded a bachelor's degree in Computer Graphics Arts in 2015. She has worked freelance on books, cover art, character designs, 3D-based advertising, 3D game development, 3D backgrounds, characters, and developed games. In 2018 she delivered a major illustration to PlayStation in connection with International Women's Day. She draws as much as she can in her spare time, and is delighted that this guide will help highlight how much there is to discover in Greenlandic mythology.