After going through a few Units now, I have noticed a pattern of conflict between indigenous communities and their complicated relationship with globalization. Tourism, research and development are some of the things that enthusiasts of globalization keep promoting to indigenous communities and leaders. The units keep throwing me at a place of self-conflict. In which I agree that communities like the Garinagu and the Shipibo-konibo may get some benefits in accepting globalization but I still see constant negatives from globalization such as the exploitation of culture and the requirement from indigenous communities to selectively reject their customs and traditions. Overall, the Garinagu seem to be actively forced to adapt into institutions set by a “foreign majority”. For example, I would argue that it was not their fault that the customary digestion of turtles had to be figuratively cancelled. If it was not for globalization, millions of species wouldn’t be extinct, yet we punish communities that had nothing to do with our actions that were guided by excessive consumption. While the articles and certain perspectives seem to hint that globalization will result in economic growth, I would argue that it actually leads to economic dependency like a drug. Communities like the Garinagu do great with their current resources but as more and more foreigners introduce economic forces such as tourism money or foreign aid it increases the dependency slowly of globalized interference into the Garinagu community. I also see how the importance of women might decrease in the Garinagu community and in other indigenous groups with the slow introduction of globalization. Globalization puts less importance in local gastronomy and others arts such as a music, clothes, and storytelling which tend to have strong female leads associated with them. It diminishes the concepts that women in these communities tend to put great importance in. As well as people become more specialized and less dependent on the community, people will move from their lands and distance themselves from their roots. While I view globalization as extremely problematic, it’s also hard for me to make a concrete opinion as non member of the Garinagu.
Your closing observation is so important: as non-members of the Garinagu, it’s difficult to determine the costs and benefits of globalization and development. Just as we discussed in the Shipibo Unit, Indigenous groups are under no obligation to remain “untouched” or “authentic,” and if they choose to adapt to globalization, they have every right to do so. But I agree that this is a bittersweet takeaway, since globalization basically forces everyone to adapt given that it is, by its very nature, everywhere. Your reference to turtle meat is an excellent example. The small population of the Garinagu certainly did not deplete the turtle population; climate change, commercial hunting, and pollution (ocean trash and toxins) did. But they have been forced to adapt their diet because of their respect for the sea and living creatures. Thanks for the thoughtful post, Miguel.
Hello,
I really like your observation about the consumption of turtles, and how it had to be abandoned because of their endangered status. Unfortunately, this rings true for a lot of indigenous peoples; one that comes to my mind is peoples in the Canadian arctic not being able to hunt seals because of the slow loss of Arctic sea ice thanks to climate change. Just another example of how the benefits of globalization are slower than the shortfalls in reaching communities that have practiced their own ways of life ages. Globalization is just an amorphous animal, one that can take and give, and I believe that the mechanisms that bring globalization to traditional communities need to be subjected to some ideological reflection.
Hi Miguel, I really enjoyed reading your reflection on globalization’s impact on indigenous groups. You pointed out so many relevant points but in particular I liked your reflection on how globalization could reduce the role of women. It is a shame to think that things like local gastronomy and culture aren’t considered as important as other areas. I do hope, though, this won’t cause a loss in this rich culture and strong roles currently associated with women.
Hello Miguel! I found your take on the effects of globalization to be very interesting. I agree with your arguments and I think that, with globalization, a lot of people choose only see the benefits of such a process, either disregarding the consequences or being completely unaware of its impact. I think that the majority of societies focus too much on financial capital and possible economic benefits and neglect culture, which is quite disappointing. With the recent increased interest in our environment as well as indigenous cultures and practices, I hope that, with time, we will find ways to prevent globalization from neglecting/losing elements of indigenous cultures.