'Cultural Tourism'

[doodlebug]

I am somewhat uneasy about the notion of cultural tourism when visiting indigenous peoples who are living their everyday lives, as in the video. There is one scene where one of the tourist women is staring at the native woman like an exhibit in a zoo. I can see the comparison with Northern Ireland but it is not in my opinion a direct comparison, the people of the north are not living their lives the way they used to, so in effect the cultural visits are rapidly becoming historical tours.

Trying to picture myself as a cultural tourist, I would think I would rather try and assimilate with the indigenous people while visiting rather than watching as an outsider. Assimilation might not be easy but would be a much richer experience.