The Term Indigenous People - Essay Example

? Tourism and Indigenous Cultures - Can Tourism Help the Chamka Negotiate better with the Bangladeshi Government? - ID Number Course Title & Code Instructor’s Name Date Total Number of Words: 3,507 Table of Contents 1. Introduction .............................................................................................................. 3 1.1 Aims of the Study ...................................................................................... 4 1.2 Research Objectives ................................................................................... 4 1.3 Rationale for Selecting the Research Topic ............................................... 5 1.4 Scope and Limitations ................................................................................ 6 2. Literature Review ..................................................................................................... 7 a. General Facts about Chamka ..................................................................... 7 b. Significance and Impact of Unique Culture, Language, and Religion on Tourism Industry .................................................................... 9 c. Socio-economic benefits of Tourism in the Development of the Bangladesh Economy ................................................................................. 11 d. Communication between the Bangladeshi Government and Chamkas ...... 12 3. Discussion ................................................................................................................ 13 4. Conclusion and Recommendations .......................................................................... 15 References ............................................................................................................................ 17 - 19 Chapter 1 – Introduction The term “indigenous people” is referring to a minority ethnic group of people that exists in each country (Coates, 2004, p. 12). Since most of the indigenous people are living in a place that is far away from civilization, this group of people manage to preserve their own set of unique culture and religion. Based on the 1991 Census, the Chamkas’ total number of population was 239,417 (Parbatya Bouddha Mission, 2012). In India, around 150,000 Chamkas are living in the states of Arunachal, Assam, Mizoram, and Tripura; whereas very few of them live in Cox’s Bazar district, Myanmar in Burma, and in Bangladesh (Parbatya Bouddha Mission, 2012). Chamka is one of the biggest indigenous groups of people that still exist in Bangladesh. Being one of the minority groups in Bangladesh, the Chamka are living their lives at a disadvantage. Because of the absence of strong government support, Chamkas who are currently living in Bangladesh do not have the same privileges that most Bangladeshi people are getting from the government. Up to the present time, almost all Chamka in Bangladesh are still living in a primitive age. Because of the presence of political and cultural separation between the Bangladesh government and this particular group of indigenous people, the Chamka do not have access to proper education, better employment opportunity, and medical assistance from the doctors and nurses. On the 13th of September 2007, the United Nations declared that the need to respect the rights of these indigenous people (UN News Centre, 2007). With a total of “30 votes in favour, 2 against and 12 absentions”, the Human Rights Council supported the United Nations’ declaration with regards to the rights of the indigenous people (United Nations, 2007, p. 1). Although there is no existing universal law behind the United Nations declaration with regards to the rights of the indigenous people, respecting their rights could prevent us from violating the existing human rights law. Specifically the act of preventing the Chamkas to have access equal to proper education, better employment opportunity, and medical assistance from the doctors and nurses is a form of racial or tribal discrimination. To uplift the socio-economic status of the Chamkas in Bangladesh, this study aims to determine whether or not tourism can used to help the Chamka negotiate better with the Bangladeshi government. 1.1 Aims of the Study The main purpose of this study is to determine whether or not tourism can used to help the Chamka negotiate better with the Bangladeshi government. 1.2 Research Objectives The main objectives of this study is to examine how the act of promoting tourism can make it easier on the part of Chamka to open up their concerns with the Bangladesh government. To address the main purpose of this study, the following objectives will be used in guiding the researcher throughout the completion of the literature review: 1. To discuss the socio-economic benefits of tourism in the development of the Bangladesh economy; 2. To determine how the unique culture and religion of the Chamkas can affect the tourism industry in Bangladesh; and 3. To discuss how tourism can be use to establish a two-way communication between the Bangladeshi government and the Chamkas. 1.3 Rationale for Selecting the Research Topic Even though the indigenous people are part of a nation, their individual rights are often neglected by most government officials. Earlier it was mentioned that indigenous people are able to preserve their own set of unique culture and religion because of the absence of industrialization. Since the number of indigenous people is relatively smaller as compared to those individuals who are living in the city, it is possible on the part of the tourism industry to take advantage of their unique culture and religion in the promotion of tourism. Just like most of the people in Bangladesh, the Chamkas have their right to preserve their own unique culture and religion. Likewise, the Chamkas have their own right to choose their preferred socio-economic activities (Coates, 2004, p. 12; Sanders, 1999). Since the government wanted to make a dam somewhere in Chitta Gong Hill Tracks in the South-Eastern part of Bangladesh, the Chamkas were driven out of their own land. The Chamkas decided to fight for their right over the place where they live. As a result, almost 10,000 people died. The war did not only affect the culture of Chamkas but also created severe damage to the environment. Considering the case of the Chakmas in Bangladesh, the research objectives of this study is not limited in terms of determining how the Bangladeshi government can uplift the socio-economic status of the Chamkas without affecting their unique cultural identity and human rights but also determine how tourism can be used in establishing a two-way communication between the Bangladeshi government and the Chamkas. Based on the existing studies on tourism, this study will explore what other writers and researchers have learned with regards to how tourism industry can benefit from the unique culture and religion of the Chamkas. Basically, the gathered information will give the researcher a better idea on how differences in culture and religion can affect the flow of travellers. 1.4 Scope and Limitations To give the readers a better idea about the Chamka, the first part of the literature review will focus on gathering facts about this particular group of indigenous people. Eventually, a literature review will be gathered to discuss the socio-economic benefits of tourism in the development of the Bangladesh economy followed by discussing how the unique culture and religion of the Chamkas can affect the tourism industry in Bangladesh. The last part of the literature review will focus on discussing how tourism can be use to establish a two-way communication between the Bangladeshi government and the Chamkas. Although this study aims to examine the link between tourism and indigenous cultures, this study aims to answer the question “Can Tourism Help the Chamka Negotiate better with the Bangladeshi Government?” For this reason, the information gathered in this study is limited in terms of addressing the significance of tourism in creating a two-way communication between the Bangladeshi government and the Chamka people. In other words, the research findings presented on this paper is not applicable to the case of other indigenous people such as the Marma, Tripura, Tanchangya, Khumi, Mro, Lushai, Khiang, Bawm & Pankhu, and Chak among others (Parbatya Bouddha Mission, 2012). Chapter 2 – Related Literature Review General Facts about Chamka Situated in the border of Myanmar in Burma and India, the Chamka lives in a hilly area known as the Chitta Gong Hill Tracks located in the South-Eastern part of Bangladesh (Soman & Dabhi, 2010, p. 14). (See Figure I – Geographic Area of Chamka below) Figure I – Geographic Area of Chamka Each house is divided into multiple blocks and each block occupies an average of 40 feet by 25 feet. Most of these houses are located near a river and the foot of hills. Since there are some instances wherein this area is flooded, it is common for the Chakmas to build their houses at least 6 feet above the ground. For this reason, the Chakmas are using ladder to climb on to their houses. (See Figure II – Chamka Housing on page 8) Figure II – Chamka Housing Traditionally, the Chakmas are wearing dress with ankle length clothing. This type of clothing is known as “Hadi”. It is the women who make their own traditional clothes. (See Figure III – Chamka Clothing below) Figure III – Chamka Clothing The Chakmas have the biggest population of Buddhist in Bangladesh. Some Chakmas are mixing their Buddhist practices together with other older religious beliefs (i.e. worshipping the powers of nature) (Parbatya Bouddha Mission, 2012). Specifically the Bizu festival is one of the unique cultural identities of the Chamkas that reflects the practice of some old rituals, the use of tribal language and clothing (van Schendel & Zurcher, 2001, p. 132). Because of the combined religious beliefs, the Chakmas are celebrating the Bizu festival on the last month of the Bengali calendar. (See Figure IV – Bizu Festival below) Figure IV – Bizu Festival Significance and Impact of Unique Culture and Religion on Tourism Industry Among the common motivators used in attracting foreign tourists include: artistic and historical sites, cultural heritage that is being offered by a community or tribe, globally known events like festivals, artistic and natural sceneries, educational purposes, and religious groups (Timothy, 2011, p. 2; Ahmed, Azam, & Bose, 2010; Akama & Kieti, 2007; Timothy & Olsen, 2006; Al-Amin, 2002). In line with this, Akama and Kieti (2007) mentioned that the presence of cultural attractions is one of the most important factors in terms of motivating the foreign tourists to visit an unknown place. Timothy (2011, p. 3) classified cultural heritage as something that is either tangible or intangible. Among the examples of tangible cultural heritage include: rural landscape and villages, buildings, art collections, historic garden, artifacts that are exhibited in the museums, antiques, and handicrafts. On the other hand, intangible cultural heritage include: dance, cultural beliefs, music, rituals, ceremonies, and social mores (Timothy, 2011, p. 3). The concept of tourism related to religion is not something new (Horner & Swarbrooke, 1999, p. 5). In fact, Timothy (2011, p. 2) explained that pilgrimage, as a form of a holy place, is one of the oldest example of a heritage tourism. Although the significance of religion in the development of tourism is often understudied, people’s religious belief is considered as a signficant factor that can motivate people to visit another country or a particular place (Brown, 2011). In fact, Jackowski (2000) mentioned that roughly 240 million people around the world travels because of their religious beliefs each year [cited in Timothy & Olsen, 2006, p. 1]. In relation to religious activities, some people are motivated to travel to visit some form of holy places like the pilgrims and other related historical sites that offers a unique set of cultural meaning (Timothy, 2011, p. 2; Ahmed, Azam, & Bose, 2010; Karar, 2010; Watkins, 2008). For example, this could mean travellng to Paris just to visit the Notre Dame, visiting the Nazareth in the Kingdom of Jerusalem, or a Buddhist temple in Thailand. Other than satisfying ones’ own curiousity, there are some people who travel because of their religious duties and responsibilities (Al-Amin, 2002; Horner & Swarbrooke, 1999, p. 5). Other people travel to gain more knowledge about the religious activities of other people. After examining how indigenenous religion can be used in attracting more tourists to visit a non-western country, Shinde (2010) revealed that it is necessary to create new products and cultural ideas that can meet the demand of the flourishing tourism. Socio-economic Benefits of Tourism in the Development of the Bangladesh Economy There are socio-economic benefits associated with the continuous promotion of tourism. In line with this, tourism industry can be used in creating new and better paying job and business opportunities in Bangladesh (Vijayanand, 2012; Akama & Kieti, 2007). Furthermore, several studies explained that tourism can also indirectly help increase the communities’ and private sectors’ monthly and annual sales and income (Vijayanand, 2012; Akama & Kieti, 2007). As a result, the government will be able to increase its expected tax revenues (Vijayanand, 2012). Because of the multiplier effects of tourism in the Bangladesh economy, tourism industry is one of the major sources of economic contributor in this country (Vijayanand, 2012). Considering the long-term socio-economic benefits offered by tourism, it is essential for the Bangladeshi government to monitor and pay close attention to the status of tourism in Bangladesh. In general, the growth of tourism industry worldwide is affected by the consumers’ choice of destination. For this reason, the Bangladeshi government should take it as a challenge to create new attraction sites for the foreign tourists. By continuously creating new tourist attraction, the Bangladeshi government can indirectly improve the quality of life of its people. Because of the on-going tight market competition in the world of tourism, the Bangladeshi government should focus on searching for new ways on how this country can remain competitive in the global market. In line with this, the process of converting the homeland of the Chamkas as one of the latest and most promising tourist spot in Bangladesh is a good example of cultural and heritage tourism. To make this project successful, Echtner and Ritchie (2003) strongly suggest the need to develop new and effective market positioning strategies. It is also a good idea to offer the public an affordable price or tourist packages to the public consumers. Cultural tourism is defined as the process of allowing people to visit and participate in the culture, art, and music of other people (Timothy, 2011, p. 4). For this reason, the Bizu festival of the Chamkas can be use as part of the cultural tourism in Bangladesh. By promoting the Bizu festival, the Bangladeshi government can expect higher tax revenues from this area during the last month of the Bengali calendar. For a whole-year round tourist motivation, the Bangladeshi government can encourage the Chamka people to promote their unique tribal music. Likewise, it is possible to promote the Chitta Gong hill tracks as one of the main attraction in Bangladesh (Ahmed, Azam, & Bose, 2010). By offering some kind of a musical event, the tourist promoters will be able to convince more foreign tourists to visit the homeland of the Chamkas (Ahmed, Azam, & Bose, 2010; Johnston, 2000). Communication between the Bangladeshi Government and Chamkas In general, tourism plays a significant role in creating new job opportunities for the local people and increasing the governments’ collected tax revenues (Vijayanand, 2012; Akama & Kieti, 2007). In relation to the presence of indigenous culture in Bangladesh, several past and current studies strongly suggest unique culture and religion can have a positive impact over the tourism industry (Ahmed, Azam, & Bose, 2010; Johnston, 2000; Rodriguez, 1999). With the help of promotional activities and market positioning strategies (Echtner & Ritchie, 2003), it is possible on the part of the Bangladeshi government to encourage more people from all over the world to visit the Chamkas in hill tracks of the Chitta Gong. Specifically the socio-economic benefits of including the Chamkas as a form of cultural tourism in Bangladesh can be used in opening a negotiating line with the Bangladeshi government. However, there is an on-going communication gap between the Chamkas and the Bangladeshi government. As an indigenous culture in Bangladesh, the Chamkas are using a different language that is closely linked to the Assamese, Bengali, and Pali (Parbatya Bouddha Mission, 2012). Because of the language barrier, the Chamkas are not able to speak out their individual concerns to the Bangladeshi government. Discussion The research study that was conducted by Brown (2011) revealed that tourism is one of the best and most effective ways to invite people from different places to visit a secluded area such as the Tibetan village in Yunnan, China. Basically, the same tourism strategy can be applied in the case of the Chamka in Bangladesh. Some of the foreign tourists are interested in learning the cultural backgrounds of other people who lives in different countries. For this reason, it is it is necessary to convert the home town of Chamkas as one of the famous tourist destinations in Bangladesh. By continuously promoting the uniqueness of the Chakma housing, their religious beliefs, the hill tracks of the Chitta Gong, the unique music Chakma, the rich cultural heritage of the Chamkas, and the beauty of the Southern part of Bangladesh, the community members who are living in this area can benefit from the new job and business opportunities (Vijayanand, 2012; Akama & Kieti, 2007). As a result, the government can indirectly increase their tax collection from the significant increase in personal income and sales (Vijayanand, 2012). It is possible for the Bangladeshi government to uplift the socio-economic status of Chamkas without adversely affecting their cultural identity and human rights. Within this context, it is possible to use tourism as an effective strategy in narrowing the gap between the Bangladeshi government and the Chamkas. Through the use of this particular intervention, the inflow of foreign tourists in the Chitta Gong Hill Tracks will eventually increase. Specifically the incoming of the foreign tourists will then provide the Chamkas with better job opportunities and additional sales and income on the part of the small-scale businesses. Likewise, the presence of foreign tourists will not only increase the Chamkas’ level of affluence but also create a deeper cultural and educational awareness (Akama & Kieti, 2007). With regards to the question “Can Tourism Help the Chamka Negotiate better with the Bangladeshi Government?”, the answer is “yes”. However, the Bangladeshi government is still very firm and focused on implementing the dam project where the Chamkas are currently residing. For this reason, the chaos that arises between the Chamkas and the Bangladeshi government is left unresolved. Since both parties are speaking different language, it is best that these two (2) groups of individuals should hire the service of a reliable translator. By allowing the Chamkas to express their feelings and individual rights as members of an indigenous people, both parties can come up with a win-win situation. According to Collins (2009, p. 1), “negotiation is both an art and science” because negotiators are required to consider some “principles, strategies, and rules” in order to come up with a successful negotiation process. Effective communication is one of the secret behind a successful negotiation process. For this reason, this study strongly recommends the idea that both parties (i.e. Chamkas and the Bangladeshi government) should hire a reliable translator to immediately solve the problem with regards to language barriers. Win-win negotiation can happen at the time both parties are able to reach their final agreement. In line with this, Reck and Long (1989, p. 13) explained that a good negotiation is not only focused on trying to win more than the party being negotiated with but to enter into an agreement wherein both the negotiator and the person being negotiated with feels satisfied with the agreement. Given that the negotiator and the person being dealt with are both satisfied with the common grounds they have agreed with, there is a strong possibility for both parties to be able to establish a stronger and long-term business relationship as compared with a situation wherein the negotiation was done on a one-sided basis. Conclusion and Recommendations The people of Bangladesh including its government can benefit the unique culture and practices of indigenous people such as the Chamkas. By considering the process of converting its cultural heritage as part of the Bangladesh tourism, the people who are living around the area can gain better job and business opportunities. This will somehow increase the future tax revenues of the Bangladeshi government. The problem that arises between the Chamkas and the Bangladeshi government is triggered by the absence of two-way communication line. Since the Chamkas are speaking a different language, it is more difficult on their part to express their true sentiments with regards to the Bangladeshi government’s decision to create a dam within the premises of the Chamkas. As a result of miscommunication, civil war between the Chamkas and the Bangladeshi government has resulted to the untimely death of 10,000 people. There are several ways on how these two (2) groups of people can solve the chaos. First of all, these two (2) groups should hire a reliable interpreter so that the Chamkas can effectively communicate their sentiments to the Bangladeshi government. Likewise, the Bangladeshi government can make use of interpreters to explain why they need to build a new dam in their area. By establishing a two-way communication between these two (2) groups, it is possible for them to come up with an agreed solution that can benefit both parties. As an indigenous people, the number of Chamka population is relatively small. Since indigenous people such as the Chamkas are deprived of equal access to proper education, this group of people are less knowledgeable with regards to ways on how they can protect their human rights from other group of people. All these factors make them stand at a more disadvantage side as compared to the Bangladeshi government. For this reason, it could help if the Chamkas can get a third party who could help them communicate their sentiments to the Bangladeshi government. By involving a third party in the negotiation process with the Bangladeshi government, there is a better chance that both parties can have a more successful resolution. With a total of “30 votes in favour, 2 against and 12 absentions”, the Human Rights Council supported the United Nations’ declaration to protect the rights of the indigenous people (United Nations, 2007, p. 1). Considering the point-of-views of the Human Rights Council with regards to the need to respect the rights of the indigenous people, the Chamkas may consider seeking assistance from the Human Rights Council. By allowing the Human Rights Council to talk on behalf of the Chamkas, there is a higher chance that the Bangladeshi government may gain better understanding on why they should respect the rights of the indigenous people. References Ahmed, F., Azam, S., & Bose, T. (2010). Factors Affecting the Selection of Tour Destination in Bangladesh: An Empirical Analysis. International Journal of Business and Management, 5(3): 52-61. Akama, J., & Kieti, D. (2007). Tourism and socio-economic development in developing countries: A case study of Mombasa Resort in Kenya. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 15(6),:735-748. Al-Amin, H. (2002). Religious tourism in Islamic Heritage. Islamic Tourism, 02: 32-36. Brown, K. (2011, April 1). SIT Graduate Institute/SIT Study Abroad. 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