Mentawai Island<\/p>\n
This letter is in response to Imran Rusli's article Mentawai
\nnow West Sumatra's main tourist attraction (The Jakarta Post,
\nOct. 22, 1995). We are both non-Indonesians who have spent
\nconsiderable time in Siberut Island, in the capacity as tour
\nguide and anthropologist, and as such feel that our views and
\nexperiences may be of some interest.<\/p>\n
Nazif Lubuk seems confused that tourists \"fall head over heels
\nfor natural, traditional objects.\" However, our experience has
\nbeen the Mentawai philosophy and way of life. For thousands of
\nyears the Mentawai have lived in harmony with the forest,
\ntreating it with love and respect. Taking only what is needed,
\nthey share openly.<\/p>\n
For many Westerners, coming from industrialized, urbanized
\nnations, which have lost an intimate relationship with nature
\n(treating it only as a commodity), witnessing and, to a certain
\nextent participating in, the Mentawai way of life is an emotive
\nand deeply moving experience.<\/p>\n
Rather than being perceived as merely \"exotic\" and
\n\"primitive\", the Mentawai people are seen by many visitors as
\nliving examples of successful and sustainable \"environmental
\nmanagement\".<\/p>\n
As such they are a potential role model and source of
\ninspiration for the developing world, rather than simply an
\nexotic spectacle.<\/p>\n
Nazif states concern that the Mentawai \"Don't lag too far
\nbehind their brethren from the coast\". The fact is, however, that
\nmany Mentawai have already visited the Sumatra mainland. Fully
\nconscious of the possibilities open to them, the majority choose
\nto return to the forest and their traditional way of life.<\/p>\n
Perhaps, instead of focusing on teaching the Mentawai \"What is
\nright and what is not\", more attention could be paid as to how
\ntourists and other visitors could possibly learn from the
\n\"immaterial\" wealth of their culture.<\/p>\n
Tourism is fine, the Mentawai enjoy having visitors; however
\nthere is a danger that if this tourism is not strictly regulated
\n(in accordance with the Mentawai's wishes) the \"main attraction\"
\nof Siberut, the Mentawai's integrated way of life, could be
\nunnecessarily disrupted.<\/p>\n
Some possible suggestions are: that tourists receive
\npreliminary information on Mentawai culture and language so that
\nthey are sensitive to indigenous ways. Secondly, that all guides
\nare registered, have spent at least several years living on
\nSiberut, have an adequate grasp of local language, and are
\naccepted and liked by the people from which they make a living.
\nSuch simple regulations could go a long way towards ensuring that
\nboth visitors and Mentawais themselves benefit from tourism.<\/p>\n
IAN WILSON<\/p>\n
and ANDINA VAN BINSBERGEN<\/p>\n
Yogyakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/mentawai-island-1447899208", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }