Savages and Civilization
 

We recently enjoyed a cultural center in Hawaii that does a nice job of preserving and showcasing some of the disappearing Polynesian lifestyles. After returning home I happened to read a book by Jack Weatherford called Savages and Civilization. He says, "The tribal people of the world today have now been confined to reservations, tribal preserves, and tourist parks. They pose no threat to anyone, and remain within easy viewing range of tourists who find tantalizing entertainment in seeing their modern descendents dance, make crafts, and reenact the savage horrors of primitive cultures." He goes on to say that the savage in the modern world is not found in romantic Polynesia, darkest Africa, or the mysterious East, but rather in the large cities of the modern world.<BR><BR>His comments made me realize how homogenous everything is becoming and that we are seeing less and less of the authentic cultures of the world. Most of the truly unique world destinations have long ago been packaged up as tourist destinations and are now presented the way tourists want to see them. I was in China in the mid-80's and marveled at the Great Wall and the Li River near Guilin. On a recent trip back I was astonished at how commercial both have now become. Villages in Fiji that were cannibals fifty years ago have turned themselves into tour operators today. The story is the same with the Holy Land, the Great Pyramids, Peru, Bora Bora, Mt. Fuji and even places like the Alamo and Niagara Falls in the U.S.<BR><BR>While I enjoy what has been preserved in the modern world I am wondering if there are truly any unique and authentic places left?

Read an article last year about the same subject. I think it was in Time. I recall that the Amazon jungle was one of the very few places which had pockets still relatively untouched by civilization. <BR><BR>It said to go there if you want to experience life untainted by modern influences. Of course, that was last year, and it was Time magazine, so by the time you get there it may already be too late!

If there was something unique to see in the Amazon the world would be there. <BR><BR>Maybe the answer is to find natural sights instead of historical places. Most remnants of great civilizations of the past are well-traveled. <BR><BR>Parts of Alaska are unspoiled and accessible only by water. I haven't been to Kamchatka but believe it is the same. Hawaii is well-traveled but renews itself quickly.<BR><BR>

Attracting tourist dollars is the only way some of these cultures are able to preserve themselves.

Actually Scott I was in the Amazon Jungle in 2000, and it was the most incredible, different and interesting trip I've ever taken. Now we didn't even go deep into the jungle, but there are tribes who are very primitive. <BR><BR> They live the same way they did hundreds of thousands of years ago. They have primitive handmade tools, no clothing, herbal medicine and speak obscure languages. It is very unique, and the world isn't there yet for many reasons. <BR><BR>First, not everyone is that interested. Second, many people have no desire to "rough it" to the degree required to visit these villages and third, it would cost a lot of money, require a lot of planning and time, preparation and effort. Usually the only visitors are those with a vested interest like scientists. Let's face it, are you going to go to great lengths to see a primitive tribe that you will be unable to communicate with? Not much of a market for this extreme travel.

This post sounds like another flowery Neal Sanders whine.

Who is Neal Sanders? <BR><BR>I don't mind paying for a cultural presentation that is well done, even if it is packaged for tourists.

Thanks Nina for the insight on the Amazon. If I ever get the money and time I'll have to check it out.

I lived in the Liberian bush, which is as far off the tourist track as anyone is likely to get (and with good reason). As you went back into the bush, there were some villages that still maintained a "primitive" tribal lifestyle. Sure, it was authentic, but it also mean shorter lifespans, endemic disease, serious health problems that would have been minor with proper modern preventive care and/or treatment. Women still died in childbirth in high numbers and many kids didn't make it to age 5. While maintaining some aspects of an old culture are admirable, there's still a lot to be said for modern civiliation.

Traveler, what exactly does "authentic" mean to you? Isolated and static? Isn't the Fijian travel agent (descendant of cannibals) still a genuine, authentic Fijian? Cultures evolve and change, they are rarely static. There is nothing "inauthentic" about your modern Fijian, even though his culture is now heavily influenced by modern technology and mores. <BR><BR>Do you really mourn the demise of headhunting and cannibalism? Of tribalism in general? Why? For humane reasons, or because it interferes with your amusement when you travel? As xx1 has pointed out, the costs of tribal living are steep.<BR><BR>A book that I'd strongly recommend as a follow-up to Weatherford's is "Guns, Germs, and Steel", by Jared Diamond, which won a Pulitzer.

I don't mind the modern world changing the tribal cultures when it is an improvement for humanity. The world is better off as disease and savage practices are eradicated. At the same time you hope the more uplifting and enlightening aspects of indigenous cultures can be preserved so the world doesn't become homogenized.