Tourism In Masai Notes

Kenya (Masai people) - Exclusive hunting in certain areas - Lodges/campsites set up near wildlife preserves/ Masai land - Pastoralists (raised animals/worked land) – used land for economic/traditional practices o They were dislocated economically o No support from government o No social services o Pastoralism considered primitive/destructive - Masai lack education and now also economic means - Socio-political institutions suffered – lands outside preserves resettled and distributed equally by management committee – land disputes (corrupt officials) - Increase deforestation, pollution, disruption ecological balance (firewood) - More vehicles- destroy grass cover – affects animal species - Hotels dump sewage in settlement areas - Campsite pollute rivers - Youth affected by Western values – loss of traditional values (proposed increase in prostitution and spread of AIDS) - Ecotourism likes indigenous communities – act as a selling point – but people have to struggle to keep their cultural rights - Earns gov’t $400 million annually - Locals receive little economic benefit. - Lack of training tourism officials = misinformation to tourists about Maasai way of life, cultural practices, spirituality translated into books, documentaries etc. o Disrespectful to culture - Taking, publishing and copyrighting pictures of nude children, women, warriors, elders  no consent - Mass produced fake products as genuine artifacts disable community based entrepreneurial initiatives. - Culture uses non-renewable resources wisely – tradition prohibits killing wildlife/cutting down forest for commercial use - Wood overharvested, solid waste pollution, habitat destruction, off road driving, wildlife harassment - Overconsumption of water decreased water in local rivers - Natives not involved in related decision making on governmental scale - Constitute less than 1% of tourism workers Source http://www.twnside.org.sg/title/chavez-cn.htm http://maasairoyaladventures.com/mercindigenous.htm