Commodified Spirituality: Tourism and Indigenous Heritage Practices in Huautla De Jimenez, Mexico

Author:

Ovies Diego Hannon1,Bautista Juan Jorge Rodriguez1

Affiliation:

1. Department of Geography and Territorial Planning, University of Guadalajara, Jalisco, México

Abstract

With the rapid emergence of ever more diverse forms of cultural tourism, sacred indigenous practices around the world are increasingly becoming part of the repertoire of experiences available in the global travel market. Particularly, the growing tourist use of sacred plants with psychoactive properties in shamanic contexts is a sensitive issue that is still underresearched. By implementing an ethnographic case study approach in the Mazatec town of Huautla de Jimenez (HDJ), Mexico, this study analyzes the effects of the touristic commodification of sacred-plant ceremonies in the social capital of indigenous communities. Findings reveal that tensions and disputes based on differing aspirations between traditionalists and modernists residents of HDJ have emerged as a result of the commodification of sacred-mushroom rituals or veladas. The lack of trust relations among local stakeholders diminishes the collective capacity to implement community-based initiatives of cultural heritage conservation and sustainable tourism development, which is indicative of a fractured social capital. Although the effects of neoshamanic tourism in HDJ match those of more traditional forms of tourism in rural and indigenous settings, the case study of HDJ exemplifies how the touristic commodification of culture has reached the most sacred and intimate cultural practices in the most remote corners of the world. Findings are placed on a global context to enhance a holistic understanding of how touristic commodification of intangible cultural heritage affects structural relations of social capital in destination communities.

Publisher

Cognizant, LLC

Subject

Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality Management,Communication,Geography, Planning and Development,Cultural Studies

Cited by 3 articles. 订阅此论文施引文献 订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献

1. A Review of Sustainable Commercialization of Farm Tourism and the Farmer’s Community Development;International Journal of Management, Technology, and Social Sciences;2023-08-12

2. Azan Pitu: The Pacification of Plagues rituals during the COVID-19 pandemic;HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies;2023-04-21

3. The Contribution of Mycological Tourism to Well-Being, the Economy and Sustainable Development;International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health;2022-12-18

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