Here's where we learn about cultural commodification.
Commodification means to sell something. In this case, the culture of various Sarawak tribes is being used to attract tourist dollars. For example, you can pay 10RM to try out these costumes and pose like the Ibans. Do you think that will be insulting to their culture? Imagine some Ang mohs visiting Singapore trying out the baju kurong and making silly poses with it. Will it offend you?
On the other hand, we cannot deny that we learnt something about the culture right? Such theme parks, although abit fake at times, actually play an educational role. Some professors argue that such performances help maintain the culture and make the locals proud of their traditional practices.
Recall how happy the Penan man was to show us how to use the blowpipe? And how happy the longhouse chief was when we showed an interest in their culture?
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Local fishing village
How is this place different from Kuching?
The built environment Buildings, facilities
The industry
Office/service vs fishing
Globalisation
Are there Macdonald's around?
Cost of living
On the right: By products of the small-scale fishing industry- belachan and dried shrimp.
Take-away message
Is cultural commodification that bad?
How is the city different from rural areas in terms of development. Why?
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