Kalattuut

Summary

Kalattuut is Greenlandic social dance music, often called Greenlandic polka. The repertoire includes several dance forms, so the name should not be reduced to one European polka pattern.

Contemporary and trending

Accordion-led recordings and live community playing keep this dance repertoire available alongside contemporary Greenlandic popular music. The collection prioritizes identifiable musical performances over narrated demonstrations.

History

Music and dance introduced through maritime encounters were adopted and transformed in Greenland. This history is distinct from both Inuit drum singing and the later country-influenced Vaigat style.

Musical characteristics

A brisk dance pulse, repeated strains and clearly shaped phrases support movement. Accordion and fiddle are important historical instruments; recordings can use other accompaniment without losing their dance-repertoire identity.

Geography and communities

Kalattuut circulates through Greenlandic community and family celebrations. Western coastal connections receive emphasis, with access across the country rather than an assertion of identical local practice everywhere.

Artists

Peter Grønvold and credited community players provide named dance recordings. Individual tune titles and ensemble credits are retained; a Greenlandic songwriter is not automatically a kalattuut performer.

Related genres

Compare Greenlandic drum singing, Vaigat music and Greenlandic pop and song.