K) Comment on whether tourism has been a culprit in commodifying cultures and traditions?
Like many other countries, Taiwan is becoming dependent on the tourism industry for economic growth. The government has developed many tourists’ facilities to accommodate the increasing numbers of enthusiastic visitors who are interested in the indigenous groups of Taiwan. Therefore, this has resulted Taiwan to gradually become an urbanized society. However, as these tourists participate in trips there, the locals, who are the conforming end will have to cater to the needs of the visitors as they are providing them with the income, this has led to implications such as turning the cultures and traditions into products to sell, which is called commodification. Hence, tourism is definitely a culprit in commodifying cultures. Some examples are:
1. City people make use of aboriginal designs
Like many other countries, Taiwan is becoming dependent on the tourism industry for economic growth. The government has developed many tourists’ facilities to accommodate the increasing numbers of enthusiastic visitors who are interested in the indigenous groups of Taiwan. Therefore, this has resulted Taiwan to gradually become an urbanized society. However, as these tourists participate in trips there, the locals, who are the conforming end will have to cater to the needs of the visitors as they are providing them with the income, this has led to implications such as turning the cultures and traditions into products to sell, which is called commodification. Hence, tourism is definitely a culprit in commodifying cultures. Some examples are:
1. City people make use of aboriginal designs
With advanced transportation network, more tourists (from the city or outside the country) are able to gain access to aboriginal villages which are scattered all over the island. This has made the aboriginal culture very popular especially in the cities. Hence, business people saw the potential in this, and started making clothing and decorations with aboriginal designs, or statues and costumes of the native people. These have result in exploitation of the indigenous groups.
2. Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village
2. Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village
At Sun Moon Lake in the Central Range, the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village houses a model re-creation of aboriginal villages representing each of the 12 tribes in Taiwan. It is a combination of culture-study centre and amusement park. There are demonstrations of crafts, food, dance, and religious celebrations, which are being displayed to the visitors. As I have mentioned, the 12 tribes are scattered all over in Taiwan, hence, by asking some of them to come and live with the other groups in a small cultural village might cause social conflicts amongst them. The handicrafts & celebrations of each indigenous group is another example of commodification. Also, this has resulted in a loss of authenticity as developments and amenities are added to the place for the convenience of the tourists, which is very different from the village where the aborigines live.
3. Atayal Village in Wulai
Wulai, an Atayal village located in the hills upriver from Sindian in Taipei County is where the Atayal lives. Although this place is known for its scenic attractions and hot springs, if you head to Wulai Old Street you will be able to find a plethora of indigenous-cuisine restaurants and handicrafts stores.
These are examples of commodification of the aboriginal cultures in Taiwan. The unique culture is being commodified into products and hence they are no longer unique. Visitors can now bring souvenirs such as sculptures, handicrafts and other artworks back to their homelands.
However it is not until now, that commodification of the culture has happened. In the early 1990s, "Return to Innocence" by Enigma was a global hit. It turned out that the song was adapted from the Amis language. Luckily, an ethnomusicologist in Taiwan discovered where the music originated, and filed a lawsuit on behalf of the tribe.
Examples of the handicrafts:
These are examples of commodification of the aboriginal cultures in Taiwan. The unique culture is being commodified into products and hence they are no longer unique. Visitors can now bring souvenirs such as sculptures, handicrafts and other artworks back to their homelands.
However it is not until now, that commodification of the culture has happened. In the early 1990s, "Return to Innocence" by Enigma was a global hit. It turned out that the song was adapted from the Amis language. Luckily, an ethnomusicologist in Taiwan discovered where the music originated, and filed a lawsuit on behalf of the tribe.
Examples of the handicrafts:
Paiwan traditional 1-strand necklace
Amis pottery pendant necklace
Amis handmade girls' shawl