Kuummiut on the east coast of Greenland, where three fjords meet.

On the Greenlandic east coast's region of Ammassalik, the most amazing fjord sceneries surround a few small towns - Tasiilaq, Kulusuk and Tiniteqilaaq were already focused here at U.T. . The village of Kuummiut has a location so wonderful it's hard to dream of.

This is one of Greenland's jewels, still a rather well kept secret for its remoteness and difficult access. No roads lead to the village - you can only get there by boat (4 hours) or helicopter. 

Kuummiut is perched over the eastern shore of Ammassalik fjord. 

Kuummiut is the largest village in the fjord, close to the Karalé glacier, 40 km inland from the main town by the coast (Tasiilaq).

A colourful inuit village amidst mountains, fjords and glaciers.

Kuummiut

Coordinates:  65°52' N, 37°00′ W
                     right on the Arctic Circle
Population:   ~ 380

Kuummiut in the morning light.

The church, built in 1957.

The village was established in 1915 as a mission. The name means "river people". By Greenlandic standards it's not that small - in fact it's even one of the largest villages, and in the Ammassalik region it's second only to Tasiilaq.

Pilersuisoq, the food and hardware store.

The Pilersuisoq is a general store that exists in nearly every Greenlandic settlement - grocery store, hunting supply store, post office and cash machine.

Everybody has a boat in Kuummiut. 
(the Pilersuisoq store at left)

The School

First day at school. The whole village comes to celebrate - it's a yearly family happening.

Children playing on the trampolin.

Local economy is based on hunting and fishing, and a fish processing is located down by the harbour.

The Inuit population keep their traditional fishing activity; this fisherman is counting on his dogs to help.

The villagers get around by dog sleds with Huskies in the winter, and by foot during the other seasons

The settlement is home to the only fish factory in East Greenland, due in part to the fact that the harbour is often free of ice during the winter, which is unusual for the eastern coastal towns.

The low blue building is the fish fabric, "Arctic Prime Fishery".

Built in 1964, the plant used to produce dried and salted fish, but it was recently converted for frozen fish, mostly exported to Iceland, Faroë and Denmark. Cod, halibut and capelin (ammassat) are the most common species.

Arctic Prime Fisheries expects that at least is landed 150-200 tons


The Johanna Kristina supply ship

The vessel run by the Royal Arctic Line that delivers cargo and passenger service for the settlements in the Ammassalik region.

The 'Johanna Kristina' visiting Kuummiut.

The ship takes 3 hours to/from Tasiilaq, and visits one settlement per day on a rotating basis.


Kuummiut under snow

The main attraction of Kuummiut for tourist visitors is the abundant snowfall, so much that the mountainous area around the fjord is usually covered by a deep snow blanket granting great skiing.

But also the town gets prettier: red, blue, green, orange, yellow painted wooden houses are an explosion of colour against the white snow background. This house model is a danish heritage from the 50s.

The Pilersuisoq store almost submersed, as the other houses, in a frozen white ocean of snow.

Inuit kid in the snow.

Mountain hikers are coming in increasing numbers to Kuummiut. The mountains here are quite steep, some reaching 2000 meters, and snowfall is abundant.

Moonrise over Ammassalik mountains.

Piteraq, the katabatic wind storm.

'Kuummiut is usually once a year under Piteraq storm. Intensely cold air drains off the Greenland ice cap, descending the slopes, channelled through the valleys. Wind can blow at 40-80 metres per second. The Piteraq is characterised by deep blue skies, intense sunlight, clear dry air and much blowing snow which can obscure visibility.' 


Up the fjords

Kuummiut lies deep within Ammassalik Fjord, in the vicinity of several other fjords and glaciers. Kayaking up those fjords is an amazing adventure.

A blue hut can be reserved for shelter in one of the most strikingly beautiful locations.

The Blue Hut  commands an impressive view of the surrounding glaciers and fjords.

Auroras are frequently observed at Kuummiut:

For more information and glorious photos, see this blog of the Danish teacher Carl Skou who worked there for a long period, teaching at the local school.