Essay on Ju’hoansi

Ju/’hoansi lead their traditional lifestyle at the moment and the recommendation to change the traditional lifestyle of the tribe puts under a threat the survival of Ju/’hoansi and preservation of their cultural identity. In fact, the recommendation to provide them with permanent settlements threatens to the traditional lifestyle of Ju/’hoansi and this decision would hardly lead to positive outcomes for the tribe as well as the country at large because Ju/’hoansi are likely to face considerable problems while changing their traditional lifestyle. In addition, benefits of the change of the lifestyle of Ju/’hoansi are doubtful in regard to the national economy because the change will need substantial investments but it can hardly bring considerable benefits. In such a situation, the aggressive interference in the lifestyle of Ju/’hoansi is unreasonable but, instead, the government should stimulate the preservation of the traditional lifestyle of Ju/’hoansi and, at the same time, stimulate the development of green tourism in the region.

In fact, Ju/’hoansi lead a nomad lifestyle focusing on hunting and living in their unique settlements and dwellings, many of which are provisional. In such a context, Ju/’hoansi conduct their lifestyle respectively to their traditions. Their main economic activity is hunting and they have no permanent settlements. This is why many people, including the officials perceive them as being primitive.

However, they have their own culture and traditions and the change of their traditional lifestyle will put under a question the survival of Ju/’hoansi as individuals, independent tribe. Instead, the tribe is likely to be assimilated and to lose its traditions and cultural identity. Therefore, the decision of the government to organize permanent settlements for Ju/’hoansi and to create new jobs for them would be destructive for the tribe because they will lose their identity and their traditional lifestyle. Moreover, it is unclear whether Ju/’hoansi will be unable to adapt to the new lifestyle or probably the government program will fail and have no positive effects. As a result, the government investments will be lost, while no positive changes in the life of Ju/’hoansi will not occur.

In such a situation, it would be more reasonable to let Ju/’hoansi live as they like and to develop green tourism in the region to attract foreign tourists and to preserve the traditional lifestyle of Ju/’hoansi. In fact, the development of green tourism in Ju/’hoansi’s community will have positive effects on the community and on the national economy. First, green tourism will preserve the traditional lifestyle of the tribe. Therefore, Ju/’hoansi will not suffer from any substantial changes in their way of life. They will carry on hunting and living in their provisional dwellings. At the same time, the national economy can benefit from tourists arriving to the country to observe the authentic lifestyle of Ju/’hoansi. The rise of the number of tourists will stimulate the development of the tourist industry and national economy at large. At any rate, the development of tourism can stimulate the economic growth, along with possible foreign direct investments, which can accelerate the economic development of the country.

Thus, taking into account all above mentioned, it is possible to recommend preserving the traditional lifestyle of Ju/’hoansi because they can hardly adapt successfully to a different lifestyle. At the same time, green tourism will stimulate the economic growth and, therefore, will have positive effects on Ju/’hoansi and national economy.