Inuit rope gymnastics

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The rope gymnastics Inuit or Greenland rope gymnastics ( Greenlandic Allunaariaqattarneq "games, which by means of a harpoon line are carried out") refers to a series of physical exercises to horizontally suspended ropes. These exercises are mainly practiced by Greenlandic Inuit, but also, for example, at the Inuvialuit Northern Games in Inuvik (Canada). They were traditionally used to prepare for paddling - especially to train the flexibility, dexterity and toughness required for the Eskimo role - but also for social competitions. They are now an integral part of the Greenland kayak championship , in which 74 different rope gymnastics exercises are recognized. Participants in the competition must complete as many exercises as possible on the first try within 30 minutes.

Two ropes are used as sports equipment at the championship, which are stretched directly next to each other between two posts five meters away (or in a kind of wooden frame), whereby they are tied to the post at a height of about two meters and in the middle under load up to 1, 40 m down. For certain exercises, there are posts that are closer together and whose ropes, which are also up to 2 m high, are tighter ( high ropes ).

One of the most elementary exercises ( Qajaasaarneq , 'like rolling in a kayak ') consists in first sitting astride the starting position and turning sideways under the ropes back into a sitting position on both ropes, which are slightly spread apart. Many other exercises vary this role in different sitting, squatting or lying positions. Another, more advanced exercise ( Tiguinnarlugu ) involves jumping into the support on a tight rope and then doing a roll on the rope. Since the ropes, for which harpoon leashes made of seal leather were traditionally used, can cut into the gymnast's extremities, one of the goals of the sport is to harden them against pain. In some exercises this is even in the foreground, for example when it comes to hanging on the rope with one hand (or one hand and the chin) as long as possible ( Kisitineq ). In modern competitions, 10-15 mm thick nylon rope is usually used, with twisted or braided cordage can be used.

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