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Greenland has a rich history of traditional music. Deriving its roots from the Inuit and Danish culture, traditional and folk music have been integral parts of Greenland's history.
Inuit traditional music is mainly based on vocals and drums. There is no tradition of purely instrumental folk music in Greenland which is not accompanied by vocal music or dances. Drums form an important part of traditional music in Greenland. Other popular instruments that are played to the accompaniment of Greenland music are bull-roarers and buzzers. More recently Jew's harp and the fiddle have been incorporated in the music of Greenland.
The Inuit drum dances are an important part of Greenland culture. In these dances, a solo dancer dances to songs composed by his family members. Sometimes these dances are in the form of competitions, where two song cousins sing and dance simultaneously while humorously pointing out the other's flaws. These are light hearted by nature, but can also be an instrument of solving serious problems and feuds. Other games include string games, hide-and-seek, juggling, rhymes and riddles.
Singing is also popular, with throat vocals being an attractive and popular technique among singers. Songs are often used to put forward spiritual and narrative ideas.
The Danish incorporate different elements to the traditional music of Greenland. European folk instruments, like the fiddle, the accordion, and the harp are very much used by the Greenlanders. The infusion of Christianity brought Christian music to Greenland. Polyphonic choirs, polka and country music were then incorporated into the music of Greenland.
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