Fly that flag.

Date : Thursday, December 9, 2010
Time : 4:50 PM

Whether tourism caused the commoditization of cultures and traditions

Yes. Ainu group is slowly dying out. Because of tourism, the people have shifted away from what they do previously, like fishing and hunting, instead they choose to don their traditional robes, stand under the spotlight and perform for cash.

Tourism had taught them the easy way to earn money, but ‘selling’ themselves is certainly not the way to do it. When an indigenous group starts working because of tourism, it might end up ugly. Firstly, because of commoditization, that the Ainu might feel that they wouldn’t might wearing their traditional robes just for tourist to snap some photos and get easy money. But if they were to wear their robes so easily, then where is the tradition in it? And if the government pay for them to perform their rituals or prayers for the public to view, would it still be sacred?

In the long-run, their tradition will just slowly corrode away, because of commoditization and the demand from tourism.