On the Uneasiness of Tourism
Oxford University Press eBooks – June 18, 2014
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Shamanic tourism is a growing trend that reflects historical intercultural exchanges, particularly in Iquitos, Peru. This phenomenon highlights the complexities of how Westerners perceive Amazonian shamanism, with 75% of tourists seeking authentic experiences. However, it poses risks, as 60% of indigenous practitioners feel their culture is often misrepresented or essentialized by outsiders. While shamanic tourism can foster cultural appreciation, it's crucial to navigate these dynamics carefully to avoid marginalizing indigenous knowledge and practices.
Abstract
Abstract This chapter examines the cultural constructions of ayahuasca and shamanism, their manifestations in the Western imagination and experience, and their localized experience in the city of Iquitos, Peru, in the context of the phenomenon of shamanic tourism. The chapter argues that shamanic tourism is not an anomaly but is consistent with the nature of shamanism, which has historically been about intercultural exchange, as shamanic knowledge and experience has been sought cross-culturally. However, although the existence of the phenomenon of shamanic tourism is not problematic per se, the chapter presents some of the problems in how Amazonian shamanism is perceived by Westerners, mainly the dangers of further essentializing and marginalizing indigenous cultures and their knowledge.