Der er dem, der mener, det er beklageligt, at den særlige østgrønlandske fangerkultur er under forandring. Det mener vi ikke. Tværtimod. Når en kultur er dynamisk <strong>og</strong> i stand <strong>til</strong> at <strong>til</strong>passe sig ændrede livsvilkår, er det et sundhedstegn. At østgrønlænderne kunne overleve en isoleret <strong>til</strong>værelse i et barsk arktisk klima skyldtes det netop deres udprægede <strong>til</strong>pasningsevne. I dag er livsvilkårene fundamentalt ændret, <strong>og</strong> østgrønlænderne <strong>til</strong>passer sig den ny virkelighed, som de altid har gjort. Fangstdyrene i <strong>Ammassalik</strong> er stadig sæler, våge <strong>og</strong> narhvaler, ry per, havfugle <strong>og</strong> isbjørn. Der skydes kun meget sjældent hvalros ser i <strong>området</strong>, <strong>og</strong> her findes ikke rensdyr, moskusokser eller polar hare. Af fisk fanges hovedsagelig torsk, hellefisk, ørreder, laks, rødfisk, havkat, haj <strong>og</strong> ulk. En særlig status har lodden, der lokalt kaldes Ammassat, <strong>og</strong> som har givet navn <strong>til</strong> <strong>området</strong>. Den oftest serverede ret i bygderne, <strong>og</strong> her er vi ikke bange for fedtindholdet, er stadig sæl. Småkød med ben k<strong>og</strong>es sammen med ris <strong>og</strong> løg <strong>og</strong> kaldes ’Tsuaasa’. En god <strong>og</strong> nærende ret, der giver varmen. Fangst <strong>og</strong> fiskeri i bygderne er langt mere end et erhverv, det er en livss<strong>til</strong>, som involverer hele familien. Om sommeren er weekenderne <strong>og</strong> ferierne afsat <strong>til</strong> kortere <strong>og</strong> længere ture <strong>til</strong> gode fiske <strong>og</strong> jagtområder. Disse weekender <strong>og</strong> sommerlejre kan betragtes som en grundpille i østgrønlændernes kultur <strong>og</strong> selvforståelse, <strong>og</strong> repræsenter et vigtigt bindeledet <strong>til</strong> den traditionelle livss<strong>til</strong>. Det er naturligvis vigtigt at få en god fangst, men næsten lige så vigtigt er det, at komme ud <strong>og</strong> være sammen med familie <strong>og</strong> venner. time job and tourism. There are those who think it is unfortunate that this unique <strong>East</strong> <strong>Greenland</strong>ic hunter culture is undergoing change. We are not of that opinion, however, on the contrary; when a culture is dynamic and able to adapt to changing ways of life, it is a sign of health. The fact that the Inuit of <strong>East</strong> <strong>Greenland</strong> have been able to survive an isolated existence in a harsh Arctic climate is precisely due to their apparent adaptability. Today, the living conditions have changed fundamentally and the <strong>East</strong> <strong>Greenland</strong>ers adjust to the new reality, as they have always done. The animals hunted in <strong>Ammassalik</strong> are s<strong>til</strong>l; seals, minke whales, narwhales, ptarmigans, sea birds and polar bears. Walruses are seldom shot in this area, and there are no reindeer, muskoxen or polar hares. The fish most commonly caught are: cod, halibut, trout, salmon, Norwegian haddock, sharks, wolfish and sea scorpions. A special status is assigned to the capelin which is locally known as “ammassat” and which has given the area its name. The most commonly served dish in the settlements, and we are not afraid of the fat content, is s<strong>til</strong>l seal. Diced meat and bones are boiled t<strong>og</strong>ether with rice and onions and is called “Tsuaasa”: A fine, wholesome and warming dish. In the settlements, hunting and fishing is far from being looked upon solely as a trade, it’s a lifestyle, which involves the entire family. During the summer, the weekends and holidays are reserved for short and long trips to good fishing spots and hunting areas. These weekends and summer camps can be seen as a cornerstone in the <strong>East</strong> <strong>Greenland</strong>ers’ culture and selfknowledge and represent an important link to the traditional lifestyle. Needless to say, it is important to get a good catch, but it is almost equally important to get away and be t<strong>og</strong>ether with friends and family.