I want to introduce you to another sculpture from my Nuuk Town Walk representing an important myth and legend "Kaassassuk the Orphan".
It is said that all Greenlandic children know the myth about the orphan Kaassassuk (meaning 'the one with small hands"), referring to the boys perceived weakness, that the community looks down upon and for which he is made to endure great suffering. The full title of the story is: 'The Orphan Kaassassuk who Acquired Great Strength'.
The story goes as follows:
Once upon a time there was a man and his wife who lost their children immediately after every birth. Finally, they had a little boy who survived, and they called him Kaassassuk.
They loved their little boy very much and were happy that the same fate had not befallen him as all their previous children.
Ironically, however, both parents suddenly became ill in the midst of all this happiness and they died shortly afterwards in quick succession.
It wasn't long before the orphan began creating problems at the settlement. He was therefore pushed out of the community and slept amongst the dogs or in a cramped entrance to a house.
On the rare occasions in which he was invited inside, people gave him tough walrus hide to eat. Kaassassuk was often lifted up by his nostrils as punishment for attempting to dry his boots inside or keeping himself warm at the ventilation outlet in the ceiling. Over time he therefore developed very large nostrils.
Life continued in this vein for a long time until one day little Kaassassuk with the large nostrils began to go on long hikes. On one of his hikes he meets with some helpful spirits (or a giant, in some variations) who imbue with immense physical strength.
He kept his enormous strength secret until one day three polar bears were spotted on the ice near the settlement. The people of the village are frightened by the presence of these dangerous animals.
This is the moment Kaassassuk chooses to reveal his true power. He goes out and single-handedly hunts and kills the three polar bears, demonstrating his new found strength to the community that had always mistreated him.
The story uses the confrontation with the polar bears to showcase Kaassassuk's transformation from a weak marginalised orphan into a powerful and respected (or feared, depending on the story variant) hunter or figure.
The moral of the story is a cautionary tale against teasing or mistreating others, regardless of how they appear, as they might possess hidden potential or strength.
You can read the full story at: https://visitgreenland.com/about-greenland/kaassassuk-the-orphan/
The sculpture of Kaassassuk is in front of the Greenland Self Rule building.
Today, the figure has become symbolic of the fact that even if you are alone, you can achieve your goals but at the same time you should take care that your abilities do not go to your head. It has become a tradition for newly graduated college students to dance around the sculpture in celebration of their succcess.
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