I cannot answer that question firmly since it involves all sorts of issues
which cannot be understood unless one is actually there and knows more about
the context.
However, what would be my right to put my values over those of the sellers?
Answer, none at all. You do have the right and indeed responsibility to
explain the issues as you see them. It is then up to the people to accept or
reject those values. Ironically colonial anthropologists were usually at
that time accused of over-protecting their subjects of study - which is why
revolutionary African leaders did not like anthropology. To reject the
people's values, however changing, is to be paternalistic, like colonial
anthropologists.
Then, if you find that their desire to sell, and if you can manage to buy
it, you could put the item IN TRUST in a museum or some other location, for
the time in which they may change their minds.
Another factor is the uniqueness or otherwise of the artefact.
Cheers
Cyril Belshaw
-----Original Message-----
From: [log in to unmask]
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of valene
smith
Sent: Tuesday, September 26, 2000 6:22 AM
To: Raoul Bianchi
Cc: Steve Butts; [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: cultural tourism (A pragmatic view)
I am glad to see Tourismanthropology engaged in debate! To add to it:
The theoretical view from the "ivory tower" is not widely shared at the
indigenous cultural level. To wit: several years back, in a remote Greenland
village, an old lady stopped me on a path, seeking to sell a "national
dress".
By the time I reached the house, word had spread via the mukluk telegraph,
and
her entire extended family were crammed into the single room. I protested to
all that she should NOT sell her national heritage (well worn, to be sure)
but
all they could see/hear was the
potential realization from the sale of US$500 to buy a new motor for their
boat, and food for the summer fishing/sealing. They did not care about the
worn out old clothes of an old lady; it was the only source of money they
could find.....
Ethics? US government restrictions on the import of seal skin items?
(And
I could use the money for something else)? An anthropological conundrum!
What would YOU have done?
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
> Dr. Raoul Bianchi
> Centre for Leisure & Tourism Studies
> Stapleton House
> University of North London
> 277-281 Holloway Road
> London N7 8HN
> ###################
> [log in to unmask]
> ###################
> Tel: +44 (0)20 7607 2789 Ext.3308
> Fax: +44 (0)20 7753 5051
>
> On Tue, 26 Sep 2000 10:35:40 +0100 Steve Butts
> <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
> > Jane,
> >
> > To hone in on your interest regarding the implications for anthropology
> > and for anthropologists of the commodification of the research
> > relationship, you say we as anthropologists, and I presume tourism
> > researchers, ought to "take responsibility." What is it you are asking
> > us to take responsibility for? For the fact that we live in a world
> > market economy which has penetrated and commodified virtually every
> > tourist destination in the world. Or what appears more likely, that we
> > should all somehow detach ourselves from the commodification of the
> > research relationship. I would suggest that this is impossible. How can
> > we disengage ourselves from a market-based economy when our informants
> > are fully involved in it? This is a not a throw our hands up in the air
> > and give up position. It is simply suggesting that we must recognize the
> > relatively new chreod we find ourselves in and work within its confines.
> > Which from where I stand is what people are doing. If you sit at the
> > table, you've got to play the game being dealt.
> >
> > Also, there is a heavy relativistic element here which is answerable
> > only by individuals. Some people in the group no doubt have little
> > problem with the commodification of culture or with it being an element
> > of the research relationship. After all, what better way to understand
> > it than to participate in it? As food for thought.
> >
> > Interested to see what you and anyone else thinks.
> >
> > Cheers,
> >
> > Steve Butts
> > Faculty of Leisure and Tourism
> > Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College
> -------------------
--
Valene L. Smith
Research Professor, Anthropology
California State University
Chico CA 95929-0400, USA
Phone: 530-891-1155
FAX: 530-345-3881
Email: [log in to unmask]
Home page: http://www.ecst.csuchico.edu/~vsmith
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
|