The Great Sleigh Ride and the Little Woman

Subject: “The Little Woman Human” by Kirsten Hastrup, Professor Emeritus of Anthropology at the University of Copenhagen, tells the story of Arnarulúnguaq, a Greenlandic woman who accompanies Knud Rasmussen's 5. Thule Expedition (1921—1924).
A tale of a journey through ice, cold and impassable landscapes in which survival depends on knowledge, strength and cooperation — and in which Arnarulúnguaq plays a far greater role than history has often given her.

The book depicts her life and efforts on the expedition, in which she not only participates but contributes crucial lessons from life in the Arctic. At the same time, a picture is drawn of the extreme conditions and everyday life in Greenland in the early 1900s, where nature is both a way of life and a constant challenge.

The book focuses on how the history of the great polar voyages has often overlooked the Greenlandic participants. Here Arnarulúnguaq is highlighted as a central figure in a dramatic tale of courage, perseverance and a journey that pushed people to their limits.

The history club The lecture is part of the History Club at Brønshøj Library, but everyone is welcome with a ticket.