Globalization, Culture, and Kiva
2 December 2009 at 09:47 Jeremy Lapedis 4 comments
Jeremy Lapedis, KF9, Guatemala
I spent thanksgiving in Costa Rica with four other Kiva Fellows who are placed in Central America. Before going, the Guatemalans who I had spoken with about my trip mentioned two things: Costa Rica is safer than Guatemala, but it has less of it’s own culture. Having spent only five days in Costa Rica, I can hardly make any judgments about Costa Rica’s culture (however you define culture, be it ideas, materials, art, family values, government etc.), but I can confidently confirm that Costa Rica is safer than Guatemala: walking down the street feels more comfortable, people aren’t afraid to ride buses, and you can drink the tap water. One thing did feel the same as Guatemala: the pervasive placement of American chain restaurants.
The security in Costa Rica is something that I am sure most Guatemalans would love to have. How did Costa Rica get to be so safe? I am sure that not having a civil war for a third of a century (Guatemalan Civil War) and multiple public works projects that bring electricity and clean water to all have helped. But the economic stability that Costa Rica has been able to find in the tourism industry must also be included in an analysis as to why Costa Rica is safer. And with this high level of tourism that Guatemala has yet to be able to harness, comes an exchanging and adopting of cultures. It is from the apparent adoption of so many foreign customs that the Guatemalans whom I spoke with derived their idea that Costa Rica had no culture of its own.
My intent of this post is not to evaluate Costa Rica’s culture, about which I know next to nothing, but rather it is to ask what is the destination of the rich Mayan culture that exists in Guatemala? Learning about this vibrant land was the main reason I had interest in being a Kiva Fellow. And I have seen the colorful dresses and blankets that many Kiva entrepreneurs weave. These artesinal products, are in a large part, bought by tourists. As tourism increases in Guatemala, which it will no doubt do, will Guatemalans be looked at from the outside has having no culture of their own? If Guatemalans want to incorporate foreign tradition into their own, that should be their prerogative, and that is not what worries me. What worries me, and many people who study globalization, is whether the permeation of outside cultures will cause the extinction of those currently present.
What role does Kiva play in all of this? Surely, it is not for Kiva, nor anyone besides Guatemalans to decide what makes up their culture. But it is undeniable that Kiva brings a degree of foreign culture to the MFIs that they work with, and the entrepreneurs that they support. By sending fellows to other countries, they are ensuring the input of foreign culture into these communities; however, I tend to believe that Kiva’s influence might play a role in enhancing the cultures they serve. By documenting, sharing, and learning from our entrepreneurs, it seems to me that Kiva play a role in strengthening the culture here in Guatemala, and in other parts of the world where Kiva works.
I’m not completely comfortable with this theory, and it may be that indeed Kiva is contributing to the steady process of dissolving and homogenizing cultures. Does the union of two cultures mean something is lost? Since this process is unstoppable, what is it that we should personally do when desiring to learn about other cultures? Would the beautiful Guatemalan blankets still exist as they do without the tourism that supports them? Does that tourism simultaneously destroy them? Culture is in a constant state flux, changing with each interaction between people. Perhaps the best that we can do is try to identify and minimize the negative influences that are created from these interactions.
Lend on Kiva to continue connecting and having a positive influence on sharing cultures.
Jeremy is a current fellow in Guatemala City, working there with FAPE. He enjoys learning through new experiences, but like Eva in the Philippines, does not like to be angsty, especially after having such a great time with other Central American Fellows during Thanksgiving. Join FAPE’s lending team
Entry filed under: All, blogsherpa, FAPE, Guatemala, KF9 (Kiva Fellows 9th Class). Tags: blogsherpa, FAPE, Globalization Culture, Guatemala Culture, Guatemala Globalization, guatemala microfinance, Jeremy Lapedis, KF9, Kiva, Kiva Culture, Kiva Globalization, Tourism Costa Rica, Tourism Guatemala.
1. evacwu | 5 December 2009 at 03:04
Thanks for the angst call-out
*high-five* It’s nice to know I had company from the other side of the world. Like everyone else said, you raised some fascinating and deep points in this post. In the Philippines, I’ve heard people here say that Filipino culture is really an amalgamation of different cultures because of its history of Spanish and American occupation. Then there’s also the longstanding Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao… so yeah, I’m getting a different perspective on culture here. Always interesting to compare notes from different parts of the world!
2. Kelly | 3 December 2009 at 14:10
Definitely some really big questions here Jeremy! Thanks for the food for thought, as a student of Development I am certainly spinning with all the questions my Kiva Fellowship has granted perspective into.
3. David Oglaza | 3 December 2009 at 06:16
I think this would make for someones really interesting thesis at Master or Phd level!
You could expand this to what effect does multi national companies have local culture.
KFC and Pizza Hut have just opened there first outlets in Nepal for exmaple! The first overseas food chain in the country.
4. Jackie C. | 3 December 2009 at 05:19
Hi Jeremy,
These are things I often wonder about too, so I’m very glad for your journal entry. Culture is indeed very complex and can have such a large framework. Personally I want to learn as much as I can about other cultures than the one I was born into.
You asked: “Does the union of two cultures mean something is lost?” My hope is that something can be gained by both or all sides involved. Ethics would factor into this too. Ideally, more information and knowledge of things other than what we are familiar with, can lead to a deeper understanding of other cultures and each other in turn. Identity, validation, acceptance, etc. all come into play. When one thinks of the uncontacted tribes of the world, my gut reaction is to say that yes, something is indeed lost when/if they come into contact with our modern world … a lot is very sadly lost to them. And then ethics are even more in the forefront of issues. All in all (more extreme situations aside) I think much of it also comes down to striving for some kind of balance, and not favouring one culture over the other, or doing as if one is better than the other so-to-speak. Much to think about on a continuing basis IMHO!
Thank you for all the work you are doing as a Kiva Fellow!
Take care,
Jackie C.