Ethnographic tourism and its development in Russia and the world

2024 Author: Harold Hamphrey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:06

According to UNESCO, ethnographic tourism is the most effective way to establish peace and understanding between people from different countries. This concept in the domestic theory of tourism is still being comprehended. While tours are already being organized in practice, objects are being created that make it possible to understand the characteristics of different cultures and peoples. Let's talk about what is meant by the concept of ethnographic tourism, what are its specifics and what are the prospects for development in the world and in Russia. We will also give examples of how this type of tourism is organized in different countries.

The concept of ethnographic tourism

Humanity has long been inherent in the need to study the origin of peoples, their characteristics, traditions, language. All this is done by ethnography - a science that has grown within the framework of history. Travel has always been a way for people to get to know the world, find the best places to live, a means of interaction with other cultures and peoples. It is from the need to learn more about the world around us that ethnographic tourism appears. The definition of this concept is still in the process of being finalized. In general terms, it means a special type of tourism in order to get acquainted with the peculiarities of the life of peoples living now or earlier in certain territories. This type of tourism is based on the genuine interest of tourists in the life of people in other countries, in their traditions. In the modern world, the processes of national self-identification of peoples are intensifying. Increasing globalization increases people's desire to realize their uniqueness, belonging to certain ethnic groups. People are becoming more interested in their own roots. All this leads to an increase in tourist trips in order to study the lifestyle of the peoples of their own and foreign countries.

Ethnic or ethnographic

In articles about tourism, two terms can be found: ethnic and ethnographic tourism. The difference between these phenomena can be found if we analyze these lexemes. Ethnic - this refers to any people, to its origin. And ethnographic is related to the science that studies the origin of peoples, their traditions and cultures. That is, ethnic tourism is a type of tourism that is associated with the knowledge of ethnic groups, and ethnographic tourism is with an inspection of objects that are created or discovered in the process of studying ethnic groups. By and large, the difference between these terms is minimal. There is a point of view that ethnic tourism is more focused on ethno-linguistic and cultural components. However, such a division of terms has not yet been accepted in wide use. Therefore, in speech theyusually used as synonyms. In our article, we will also use these terms interchangeably.

Relevance of ethnotourism

The modern world is in dire need of interaction between nations. According to the position of UNESCO, tourism is one of the most important factors in the humanitarian and cultural development of human civilization. It contributes to the establishment of dialogue and good neighborly relations between peoples, leads to the preservation of peace and the rapprochement of ethnic groups. Today, when the wave of conflicts on national grounds is growing, the search for common human and cultural foundations between nationalities and states is extremely important. And tourism, among others, solves these problems. It is designed to draw attention to historical events and facts, focused on the preservation of cultural heritage sites of different peoples. We can say that through tourism there is awareness and understanding of the social world. People learn about how other peoples live, what are their values, historical path, and become more tolerant and friendly. In addition, of course, ethnotourism is a way of economic and social development of regions, which is especially important for developing countries.

Ethnographic objects

Each type of tourism, including ethnographic, has its own specific objects. Ethnographic objects are understood as phenomena and objects of culture and history that preserve information about the ethnic characteristics of the traditions and way of life of the people. This is a system of specific signs,distinguishing the culture of an ethnic group from all others. Traditionally, the following objects of ethnographic tourism are distinguished:

- Archaeological sites with pronounced ethnic features. For example, archaeological excavations in the Altai Mountains at the site of the existence of the Pazyryk culture.

- Religious and architectural buildings and complexes created by ethnic groups in the process of living in some place, including objects created by several ethnic groups. For example, the Kazan Kremlin combines buildings of Christian and Muslim cultures and is a unique complex-monument of several ethnic groups.

- Architectural monuments that embody the traditions of a particular ethnic group and are associated with a certain stage in the development of an ethnic group. A striking example is the Terem Palace in the Moscow Kremlin, this is an excellent example of Russian patterned style.

- Monuments of religious architecture with pronounced confessional features, created in a certain architectural tradition. An example is the Cathedral in the German city of Bamberg of the 12th century, which is one of the purest examples of the Romanesque style.

- Traditional ethnic burials, cemeteries, monuments on graves, necropolises, created in accordance with national traditions. An example of such an object is the old Jewish cemetery in Prague, which today has become a tourist attraction.

- Museums of national cultures, exhibitions of objects of ethnic cultures. For example, the ethnographic museum of the peoples of Transbaikalia in Ulan-Ude.

- Traditional dwellings and outbuildings,characteristic of different peoples, often with the representation of the traditional decoration of the house, tools for economic activity. An excellent example of such an object is the Skansen Park Museum in Sweden.

- Entire villages or cities that have preserved the layout, buildings, organization of life, characteristic of any people. An example is the city of Cesky Krumlov, the center of which has retained its appearance from the Middle Ages.

- Separate objects of everyday life and traditional culture of the ethnic group. Mills in different national cultures of Europe are examples.

- Places where festivals and celebrations of national cultures are held. During these events, the traditions of folk rituals are revived, national costumes are demonstrated. An example is the Maslenitsa holidays that take place in many cities and regions of Russia.

- Places where folk crafts and traditional crafts are being revived. Examples are many villages and cities in Russia: Zhostovo, Vologda, Kasli.

For the development of ethnographic tourism, it is necessary to study national cultures, identify new objects, restore and preserve them.

Ethnographic Heritage

The totality of monuments of national cultures is the heritage of this ethnic group. It can be locally collected in one place, or it can be scattered around the world. The task of ethnography is to identify and systematize these objects. And ethnographic tourism organizes tourists to get acquainted with these heritage sites.

The most significantmonuments of national cultures are protected by state and international programs. The most famous of these programs is UNESCO, associated with the identification and protection of World Cultural Heritage sites. True, not all objects in this program are ethnographic, there are a number of natural ones. Large nations within the framework of state programs preserve their ethnographic we alth. For example, in Uzbekistan there are special institutions and programs for the preservation of the medieval cities of Khiva and Bukhara, in which large parts of traditional settlements have been preserved.

Ethnotourism is a way to popularize the cultural traditions of different peoples, as well as a source of raising funds for the preservation of these objects.

Types of ethnographic tourism

There are several classifications of ethnotourism. First of all, it can be divided into external and internal. External ethnographic tourism abroad is focused on getting acquainted with the life and traditions of other peoples. And the internal one takes place within the framework of one's own country and allows one to better know one's own culture and its origins.

According to the method of tourism, they distinguish:

- Visiting existing, "living" ethnic settlements. Such trips are connected with the inspection of the preserved national settlements, where the system of life of this ethnic group can be recreated or presented for viewing. An example would be the traditional settlements of South American Indians in the jungles of Peru. As part of such visits, tourists can get acquainted with how thethe economy of this people, to participate in the preparation of food, household items, jewelry. Tourists also have the opportunity to take part in national rituals and holidays.

- Visiting ethnographic museums and exhibitions. This is the most common cultural and ethnographic tourism, it does not require any special efforts and costs from the tourist. To get acquainted with the life of one or another people of Russia, you can come to the Russian Ethnographic Museum in St. Petersburg, where there are expositions about all the major ethnic groups living on the territory of the modern Russian Federation and on the territory of the former Russian Empire.

- Aboriginal tourism. In such trips, representatives of the ethnic group in question are involved in the tour program. For example, safaris in Egypt or the United Arab Emirates are often conducted by locals dressed in national clothes.

There is also a division of ethnotourism into traditional and nostalgic. The first involves getting to know cultures through visits to settlements or museums. And the second is visiting the places of origin, historical homeland. So, for example, for Jews all over the world, such a place is Jerusalem, where representatives of this people often go to touch their origins.

Anthropological tourism is also distinguished, it is associated with visiting places of disappeared or endangered cultures. For example, today in Russia tourism to the Far North is beginning to take shape in order to get acquainted with the life and traditions of small peoples that are endangered. The youngest subspecies of ethnotourism is jailoo. In this case, tourists settle together with an ethnic group, usuallysmall, leading a primitive way of life, and live with them. Such tours already exist in Nepal and Kyrgyzstan. The tourist settles in the family and performs the work that all family members do.

Ethnotourism can also be divided into stationary and event tourism. The first is connected with visiting the place of residence of the ethnic group. Such tours are carried out systematically, since the object is in constant access. The second is associated with the holding of some kind of event: a holiday, a festival. Therefore, tours can only be organized during this event.

Functions

Cultural and ethnographic tourism performs several main functions:

- contributes to the formation of a tolerant attitude towards other peoples, their traditions and norms;

- preserves the cultural diversity of the world, helps to restore and preserve the objects of national cultures;

- contributes to the economic stability of museums, cultural and research organizations;

- improves the socio-economic condition of the region in which the objects of tourism are located;

- contributes to the revival of national traditions;

- raises the cultural level of people.

Audience

Ethnotourism is focused on people with high cognitive demands. Such travelers want to learn something new, they are interested in the life and traditions of different peoples. The development of ethnographic tourism is due to the fact that people interested in the history and culture of different ethnic groups,is getting bigger. Such tourists want to learn about how different peoples lived and live, what they ate, how they cooked food. Often such tourists want to use national instruments, participate in various rituals. Often this is an educated audience of middle and older age. But more and more families with school-age children are interested in such tours. They want children to know more about their own culture, its roots, traditions and heritage. Therefore, classes for children are most often held in ethnographic museums.

Ethnographic tourism is a way of transmitting primordial traditions to the next generations. Children are taught national crafts, folklore, and language. As part of special tours, this is much easier to do than in classrooms.

Global experience

Today, the development of ethnographic tourism in the world is gaining momentum. In Europe and America, there are a huge number of large and small places to get acquainted with the life of indigenous peoples, with the culture of the nation. For example, Indian settlements and parks in Canada and the USA. One of the founders of open-air ethnographic parks was the Swedish Skansen. In his likeness, many of the same museums around the world have been opened, for example, in the Hungarian Szentendre there is a Skansen. In Asia, such types of tourism are also actively developing. For example, in Thailand there are routes along the Kwai River that tell about the life of the local population. Bangkok has a unique Muang Boran Ancient City park, which contains buildings from all over the country, there is also a model of a floating market and many workshops with localcrafts.

Ethnographic resources of Russia

For multinational Russia, ethnotourism is one of the most promising areas for regional development. Today, ethnographic tourism in Russia is also gaining momentum. Almost all regions have museums and exhibitions of a similar nature. Open special places to explore the original crafts and traditional way of life. For example, in Kazan there are two such places at once. This is the Old Tatar Sloboda, which presents traditional Tatar buildings, workshops, a mosque. And also the Tatar village "Tugan Avylym" - a park where children can get acquainted with traditional Tatar crafts and try national dishes in a playful way.

Organization of ethnotourism

Despite the fact that today ethnographic tourism in the world is developing and attracting many people, its organization is associated with many difficulties and problems. The creation of an ethnographic object requires scientific research, justification, as well as large investments. Therefore, such investments are mainly within the power of only large organizations or the state. The problem of organizing ethnotourism is that a large flow of tourists can harm the object. So, for example, mass travel to African natives leads to the fact that they lose their authenticity.

Russian experience

Today in Russia, the organization of ethnographic tourism is mainly carried out by regional administrations. They are faced with the task of improving the tourist attractivenesstheir territories, and they are ready to create museums, parks, and restore cultural heritage sites. But usually they do not have a lot of funds, and therefore the objects are organized for a long time and poorly. The experience of private investment in the creation of ethnographic objects in order to attract tourists is still small in Russia, but it exists. For example, in Gorny Altai there is an ethnopark "Legend", founded by the Altai sculptor A. Zaitsev. The administration of the Biysk region later joined his initiative. The park introduces tourists to the legends and myths of the Altai Mountains.