I'm afraid I haven't had much time to think about this topic during the week, so I'll try to keep this brief, mainly just so I could say I posted.
Sean brought up the point that you could just barter. The problem with that is you still have to choose very carefully. I (technically) minored in anthropology (technical only because I never declared) and this was a topic we discussed - not ethno-tourism per se, but needing to be careful about interaction with other cultures. One technique used to be able to study tribes is to bring gifts or things to trade, but as with money, the wrong items can totally throw off the structure of the society. Bringing these gifts shows that you aren't hostile, but a dependence on these items can be dangerous. I wish I could give some good examples, but it's been a few years since I had any classes.
There's also the point that the encroachment of modern civilization may cause a change in their customs and way of life. If you have people come through all the time, eventually you would pick up some of their mannerisms, style of dress, etc. Then they would lose what made them special, what was bringing people there in the first place. Kinda like Times Square - I was there last night with Laurie, and it was packed! But about 90% of the people were tourists - they go there and then think that that's what New York is really like, but it's only that certain section, and it's that way mainly because of tourism.
I couldn't imagine if people came into my town and started taking pictures of me and gawking. It would be different if they were really interested in the culture, and I'm sure a good portion of these tourists are, but they must also be instilled with the idea that they need to adapt to the surroundings and the society they are entering and respect it. I don't go to France and photograph the people there, why do it elsewhere? (And yes, you could argue that their culture is very similar to ours, but I don't think I'd do it in China or Somalia either.) To help put this into perspective (maybe) read this article on the Nacirema.
And as far as ethnocentrism (believing our culture to be the best), I don't think that's always the motive behind it. Like Nick, I would probably even envy some of these tribes because they have the luxury of being so secluded.
That's all I have - sorry if this was kinda crap, like I said - I'm tired and didn't have much time to think about this before posting.
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4 comments:
wow - that Nacirema article was fascinating. terrifying, but fascinating.
also, now i have "people are strange" stuck in my head :-)
Definitely a good point about what you could barter. The initial article Jen linked to talked about the tour guides bringing in tobacco to "soften up" the natives, to make them willing to allow the intrusion by tourists. I found myself wondering how much tobacco these remote jungle tribes had access too before the influx of tourism. Isn't it likely that this is creating an addiction which can only be sated by the arrival of tobacco-bearing tourists? That notion is pretty repugnant.
I don't know if I need to say this or not, (as I don't know how many have read the article) but the article on the Nacerima is about Americans from an anthropological perspective - really interesting.
Am I just a complete idiot that I didn't get that? I went back and re-read it, knowing what it was, and it is STILL terrifying and fascinating.
It reminded me of the book Motel of the Mysteries, which I LOVE. It's set in the future, and archaeologists are examining and interpreting an ancient "sacred tomb" - except the ancient sacred tomb is really a motel room at something along the lines of a Motel 6.
No you're not an idiot - it's kinda hard to tell from the main part of the article.
The book sounds cool - I'll have to check it out.
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