A Description of Greenland (eBook)

Hans Egede (Autor)

eBook Download: EPUB

2022
135 Seiten
DigiCat (Verlag)
859-654738436-6 (EAN)

Infos

Hans Egede's 'A Description of Greenland' is a captivating account of his expedition to Greenland in the 18th century. The book is written in a detailed and descriptive style, providing readers with a vivid picture of Greenland's geography, wildlife, and the indigenous Inuit people. Egede's writing reflects the curiosity and awe of the European explorers of his time, while also showing respect for the native inhabitants of Greenland. The book serves as an important historical document that sheds light on the early encounters between Europeans and the Arctic regions. Egede's work can be seen as a precursor to modern travel writing, characterized by a mix of exploration, cultural observation, and personal reflection. Hans Egede, a Norwegian missionary, was driven by a desire to spread Christianity to remote regions and engage in cross-cultural exchange. His experience in Greenland inspired him to document his observations in this detailed account. Egede's background as a clergyman and explorer informs his approach to describing Greenland's landscapes and people with a combination of curiosity and empathy. I highly recommend 'A Description of Greenland' to readers interested in exploration literature, Arctic history, and cross-cultural encounters. Egede's firsthand account provides a valuable perspective on the early interactions between Europeans and the Arctic environment, making it a compelling read for both scholars and general audiences.

Autor

Hans Egede (1686–1758) was a Norwegian-Danish Lutheran missionary known as the 'Apostle of Greenland.' He embarked on a mission to search for the lost Norse colonies along Greenland's coasts but ultimately focused on establishing a mission among the Inuit populations. Egede's enduring legacy is rooted in his pioneering role in the Christianization and Westernization of Greenland and in establishing Danish sovereignty in the area. In 1721, Egede founded the colony of Godthåb, now known as Nuuk, the capital of Greenland. His devotion to the welfare of the Greenlanders and his efforts to record and understand their culture were pioneering. Egede's mastery of the local language led to the first comprehensive accounts of Greenland's indigenous inhabitants and their environment. His book 'A Description of Greenland' (1741) provides a detailed observation of Greenlandic life, including the geography, climate, wildlife, and the social customs of the Inuit people. The work remains a valuable resource for understanding 18th-century Greenland and serves as a testament to Egede's scholarly and humanitarian pursuits. Although his encounters were shaped by the colonial mindset of his time, Egede's work can be appreciated for its contributions to ethnography and the history of Greenland. His efforts helped lay the foundations for ongoing relations between Greenland and Denmark, an impact that reverberates to this day.

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 16.9.2022
• Verlagsort: Prague
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Sachbuch/Ratgeber ► Geschichte / Politik ► Regional- / Landesgeschichte
• Themenwelt: Reisen ► Reiseführer
• Schlagworte: 18th century explorers • Arctic Exploration • Arctic travel literature • colonial Greenland • Cultural Anthropology • Description and travel • Early European Explorations • Enlightenment Era Travelogue • European discovery of Greenland • Explorers' Encounters • Geography General • Greenland • Greenland exploration • Greenlandic Culture • Hans Egede biography • Historical Geographic Studies • Indigenous Peoples' Traditions • Inuit culture and history • Lutheran Missionary Narratives • Missionary tales • New World encounters • Nordic adventure stories • Polar regions history