Understanding the Faroese North. Perception of the Grindadráp and the process of putting down roots among Polish migrants in the Faroe Islands

Apstrakt

The article addresses the complex relationship between the cultural adaptation of migrants and their perception of local traditions. Based on exploratory fieldwork conducted in the summer of 2025 in the Faroe Islands, using 30 in-depth ethnographic narrative interviews, the analysis focuses on how 

Polish migrants interpret the practice of Grindadráp (traditional pilot whale hunting). Drawing on contemporary migration scholarship, this study examines how engagement with a locally valued yet internationally contested cultural practice serves as a mechanism for emotional and cultural rootedness (“feeling at home”). Situated at the intersection of Faroese cultural identity and global conservation debates, Grindadráp provides a unique lens through which to explore migrants’ negotiations of belonging in a distinctive island environment. The findings show that the reception of Grindadráp is not uniform and functions as a significant barometer of migrants’ integration. While temporary seasonal workers tend towards pragmatic or detached rationalization, long-term settlers, particularly those integrated into Faroese families, are more likely to internalize and defend the practice against external criticism. The paper highlights the multidimensionality of adaptation in small, geographically isolated island communities, showing how migrants negotiate belonging through their engagement with local cultural heritage and the socio-cultural dynamics surrounding a highly contested tradition.