Fortællingen om Akamalik: Akamalik døbes 1858 - 1860

Aron of Kangeq made this woodcut depicting the baptism of Akamalik in Greenland. It's one of a series of images illustrating the story of Akamalik, a young Greenlander, and offers a glimpse into a specific cultural and historical moment. In the 19th century, European missionaries were active in Greenland, seeking to convert the Inuit population to Christianity. The image shows the interior of a church, with rows of Inuit people seated, many in traditional clothing. At the front, a baptism ceremony is taking place, presided over by missionaries. Aron was himself an Inuk, and his work provides a unique perspective on the impact of colonialism and religious conversion on Inuit society. His prints are invaluable historical documents, giving us insights into the complex social dynamics of the time. To fully understand this work, we need to examine missionary archives, travelogues, and anthropological studies. By placing the artwork within its historical and institutional context, we can begin to grasp its significance as a cultural record and a statement on the changing world of the Greenland Inuit.