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Mexico tribe faces modern threats
Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News that Doesn't Fit
sent by Milt Shapiro (mexnews)
Source: CCTV.com - Dec 28, 2007
Mexico tribe faces modern threats
Urban development in Mexico threatens one of the country's last
remaining independent indigenous tribes. The Seri have resided for
centuries in the state of Sonora off the Gulf of California. The
tribal villages of these ancient people, Punta Chueca and Desemboque,
lie directly in the path of a huge tourist development that will see
hotels and apartment complexes spring up all along the coastline.
Semi-nomadic, hunter-gatherers, the Seri vigorously guard their
culture against Spanish and Mexican influence.
As northern Mexico's coastal desert region develops, bringing new,
modern influences, the traditional life of the Seri is at risk.
Guillermo Palma, Seri fisherman, said, "Then the life of the
community began to move. Our own customs and the customs from outside
began to blend. The impact of what has entered here becomes more
visible, clothing, food and even the way people speak, all have
changed a lot."
Conflict between the Seri and the outside world dates back to the
Spanish colonial era. Spain made several attempts to exterminate the
tribe and failed.
Change has come slowly to Punta Chueca. The changes started with the
introduction of electricity in the 1990's. As tourist developments
begin to encroach on the Sonoran coastline, the cultural clash of the
Seri with their Mexican neighbours is likely to intensify.
Tourist developments in Puerto Libertad, to the north, will end the
isolation of the Seri. A new coastal highway is under construction.
Even more United States tourists are expected to crowd in. That is
likely to spur further developments of hotels and resorts along the
pristine coastline.
Mexico's National Commission of Protected Areas works with the Seri
to conserve this area.
Ana Luisa Figueroa, director of National Commission of Protected
Areas, said, "Sometimes I always question, what's the best. I mean,
if it's our running and ru****ng for things, and in that respect, I
always invite any agency that works with marginalised communities or
isolated communities or indigenous people to think really twice
before acting. I think that they deserve our best in terms of getting
the best of both worlds. But we have to ask before if what we are
offering them is our best, or the best that we have."
Aside from its breathtaking natural surroundings, Punta Chueca offers
noting in the way of attraction. Most of its houses are shacks made
from concrete, cardboard, and even piles of rubbish.
There are few visible indicators of the traditional Seri culture
outdoors in the village, apart from some traditional symbols on the
school building and a structure made of twigs and adorned with
ribbons nearby.
The Seri are divided about how they want to interact with the world
outside.
Some want to bring in tourists and visitors as a source of revenue,
while others are content to stick with the old ways and remain
isolated.
*
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