W is for Whales

Meat and blubber from the pilot whale are a treasured part of the Faroese diet.  It is one of the Faroese delicacies that I did not need to acquire a taste for.  It was 'like' on first bite

Dried whale meat.  

I have often been asked what it tastes like.  Whale meat is dark and actually reminds me of beef, and tastes great boiled, fried, roasted or dried. 

Ragnar's Dad slicing the Whale Blubber

 The blubber is cut in thin slices and compliments several meals, including boiled whale meat, but also dried fish.

Grindabo - 'whales in sight', was one of the first Faroese phrases that I learned.  When 2 or more Faroese are in another country and they want to get the other ones attention, calling 'grindabo' will work every time.
It is the old way of letting your neighbours know that a school of whales has come into the Harbour - the signal for a highly organized activity in which everyone knows the part they have to play.

  Men all over the town will stop what they are doing to take this opportunity to help provide food for their families.  They never go out hunting whales, but if they come into the bay, they all work together to bring them on land and divide up the meat among the families who have worked for this.

Some jump in their boats and guide them into the bay.  Other men go into the ocean to kill the whales, while still more drag them on shore, mark the whales and divide the meat.  Everything is always well organized - everyone doing their part.  If there is plenty of meat, it will be shared with neighbouring villages.

Since not all bays and beaches are suitable, certain ones are authorized for the beaching of whales.  In each area a group of men are responsible for the conduct of the proceedings.  It happens quickly - 8 min. to kill 136.  Average weight 500 kilos.

The whale hunt is a tradition passed on from many generations, and is still carried on non-commercially for the sole purpose of supplying whale meat and blubber.  Whale meat has provided many families with lots of meals and was especially appreciated several years ago when food was more difficult to come by.

Enjoying a Dinner of Whale Meat and Potatoes with friends.

An archway made from a whale's jaw.