An Experience Extraordinaire
Increasingly, however, we are seeking something much more exciting – encounters with ancient cultures that have somehow managed to survive in the modern world.
“Tribal tourism”, as it has been dubbed, is on the rise. From Papua New Guinea to Morocco, Kenya to Indonesia, tourists are increasingly drawn to the idea of visiting First Nations peoples, cultures whose way of life is entirely different from our own.
Done ethically, tribal tourism can be a huge boost to First Nations, helping them to maintain their culture while bringing important economic benefits. Done badly, it can be a disaster.
Take the Jarawa people of the Andaman Islands off India, who had little contact with the outside world until the late 1990s. In the decades since, outsiders have introduced alcohol and marijuana, stolen the animals on which the Jarawa rely for survival, and inadvertently caused two outbreaks of measles, a disease which can be fatal among First Nations.
Since 2011, following reports of “human safaris” in Jarawa territory, with locals being forced to dance in exchange for food, Survival International has been leading a tourist boycott of the Andaman Islands.
“A way of life isn’t a commodity,” says Sophie Grigi, a senior co-ordinator at Survival International, cautioning that tribal tourism should be undertaken with “caution and respect”.
“The nomads agree to come with us, never for any more than two weeks in any given year, and continue to exist in their ordinary lifestyle. We do not create any dependency,” Badyari says.
Intrepid Travel takes a similar approach. For its newly launched Siberian itinerary, which includes a visit with the nomadic Yamal people, Intrepid worked closely with the Yamal.
“Where we are visiting ethnic minorities, we look to work with indigenous-owned businesses,” says Tara Kennaway, Intrepid’s regional product manager. “If these are not yet in existence, we will try to work with individuals who are keen to learn more about working in tourism. This could be drivers, interpreters, locals who might cook for us, or guide us on walks.”
Kennaway says that responsible travel is about respecting an authentic lifestyle, rather than putting on performances.
“We show an interest in the simple things: daily routine, everyday foods, where people shop, how families and friends spend their time, rather than elements of culture that might be “put on” for tourists like performances or costumes. We want locals to know that their everyday life and culture is important and has value.”