Define culture and write an essay on the impact of Tourism on cultural changes in Sri Lanka

(Peradeniya University, Sociology, 1995)

In a nutshell, “Culture” can be defined as the means by which individuals all over the world fulfil their basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter and the arts.

Many Sociologists have attempted to define “Culture”.

G. P. Murdoch identified 6 major characteristics. He said that culture is:

(i) Learned by traditions and experiences.

(ii) Shared by many individuals in the society / group.

(iii) Transmitted from generation to generation.

(iv) Represents individuals’ need to satisfy their needs, appreciate things and adjust to changes in political, social and economic aspects.

(v) Art, music, literature, religious ideas that help the individuals identify with their culture.

He also said that

(vi) The use of technology to fulfil basic needs in a particular aspect of culture can go to show the knowledge acquired by the individuals in that society.

Kluckholm believed that “Culture” included the human environment – both tangible and intangible aspects – which have been created by the individuals of that particular ociety. He believed that culture represented a way of life for persons of a said group or society.

Tylor defined “Culture” as everything man made and taught to future generations, who in turn, could also accumulate and transmit their own knowledge. According to him, culture included knowledge, beliefs, traditions, customs, art, music and law as well as other capabilities / habits acquired by individuals in the society.

Many sociologists defined the dominant culture in their definitions. However, the culture of a country or society also includes two other aspects. Mainly,

(i) Sub Culture

(ii) Counter Culture

A Sub Culture is a separate culture with (sometimes, if not always) distinct differences in lifestyles. Sub cultures can normally be identified on the basis of occupation, ethnicity, common religion, customs and traditions. In some cases, if individuals live together as a group for a long time, they tend to develop their own traditions, habits etc.

A Counter Culture develops when a group of individuals go against values and norms of the dominant cultural group. Often there are very clear distinctions between the values and norms of the dominant culture and the sub culture. Street gangs, drug users, hippies, gays, lesbians etc. – if analyzed – have their own set of norms and values, which often are directly opposed to those of the dominant culture.

Sri Lankan culture is a very traditional, conservative culture that does not welcome modern thinking and changes. Having said that it is important to mention that even though the culture of this tiny island nation was not open to changes in society and modernisation, the economy was opened to modernisation in the 1970s bringing with it an influx of tourism, modern appliances, imports of clothes, accessories, food etc., all of which was lapped up by a society starved of anything modern.

From this point forth, Sri Lanka was marketed as the ideal tourist destination, and one of the country’s main revenue earners – Tourism – was born. With the tourists came their lifestyle, their food, clothes, manner of behaving in public with each other etc.

Coastal areas were developed as a direct result of tourism. The government, for its part, developed the infrastructure of popular destinations along the coastal belt and up-country in the hills of Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya etc. but the income earned by small villages frequently visited by tourists grew in size and developed to be able to accommodate the influx of tourists. Therefore, tourism directly financed the development of coastal villages such as Hikkaduwa, which no longer can be called a village but a fully-fledged town. Gone are the groups of thatched-roof mud buildings as they have been replaced by clay tile, asbestos and concrete walls. As a matter of fact, in certain cases, traditional livelihoods such as mask making flourished as tourists are eager to witness the traditional aspects of the society they are visiting. Economically, hundreds of new job opportunities were created as hotels sprung up and many new avenues were opened up as a direct result of tourism. Archaeologically, many historical monuments were restored and preserved as their worth was instantly augmented by the interest shown by tourists visiting the island. Therefore what would have fallen prey to neglect and the advent of time and nature, has been preserved and is given the recognition due to these witnesses of a proud history.

However, there been many adverse changes to the culture of this country as a result of tourism. One of the biggest changes has been the introduction of the use of hard drugs such as Cocaine and Heroine, and more recently drugs such as Abin, Hash and Ecstasy. The drug culture of old extended as far as Tobacco and/or Bede, a derivation of Tobacco. However, with tourism came drugs, which has statistically increased in spite of tougher regulations and laws against drug use, drug trafficking and drug dealing. Drug use is high in areas frequented by young tourists, mainly the coastal destinations. However, drug use is everywhere, even in the central provinces and areas of no tourist value. Sri Lanka being a small area in land mass, it is not difficult for drug traffickers to distribute island wide.

Yet another direct result of tourism has been the advent of paedophiles into the island. Sri Lanka has been called a haven for paedophiles as many of those living along the coastal belt are impoverished. Therefore, hardly is an offer of money or little luxuries turned down by locals, even if it means they have to be a part of child prostitution or their children have to be a part of this vile new market. This sad new culture thrives under the guise of “Beach Boys” and until recently was considered a legal source of income for locals. However the Tourist Board has more or less outlawed this and is taking steps to educate these so-called beach boys to turn them in recognized, licensed Tourist Guides.

Many complain that the tourists’ behaviour influences locals and local youngsters to act inappropriately and against the culture. If one observes tourists, one will notice that their clothing is less than decent by cultural standards and that the way males and females interact with each other is also culturally inappropriate. Wearing bikinis or swimsuits or strappy, short attire, exposing much of the body, kissing, holding hands in public etc. all point to inappropriate behaviour from a cultural standpoint. Sri Lankan culture does not permit interaction between young males and females unless there is adult supervision. Therefore even friendly physical contact is taboo, as even that can be viewed as having some sort of sexual connotation. The reason for this tight-lipped view is the chastity of women. Women are considered good if only they are pure. Hence the sacredness of a girl’s virginity, as it symbolises her purity, and even more so, her worthiness of her future husband. A girl’s reputation is far more important than gold or education or any achievements.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases or STDs are a fairly new newcomer to Sri Lanka and the blame once again falls on tourism. Many claim that STDs, which are common in Western countries, were first introduced by infected tourists who had sexual relations with local prostitutes etc. Of these, AIDS is the highest killer from all STDs.

Another aspect of the Western lifestyle that has been introduced to Sri Lankan society is the concept of “Nightlife” meaning clubbing, partying, dancing to Western music, drinking etc. In a nutshell, the concept of “Sex, Drugs & Rock n’ Roll” was introduced through a need to keep foreign guests entertained while staying in a hotel, although the sex and drugs was just an unmentioned accomplice to the whole clubbing and partying lifestyle. This has particularly taken hold in Colombo and Kandy and coastal tourist hotspots. However, what may have started as purely entertainment for foreigners, had to be opened up to locals to be able to continue keeping such ventures afloat and in business. Even Sri Lankan music has taken on a Western flavour, which once again is viewed as culturally devaluing.

Yet another change in the Sri Lankan culture has been a subtle yet key change. The Tourist Board markets Sri Lanka as the ideal tourist destination by citing one key factor – that is by citing Sri Lankans as being the most hospitable people in the world. As a matter of fact, Sri Lanka has been famous for its hospitality for centuries. Robert Knox was one of the first to mention this in writing in his chronicles of his stay in Sri Lanka. He goes so far as to mention that he did not feel like a prisoner as he was so well treated and given all the freedom he wanted and needed, except the freedom to leave the island. Unfortunately, today the concept of hospitality has changed to a concept of using hospitality to the extent of being opportunistic. Sri Lankans are now slowly but surely becoming famous for hoodwinking tourists under the guise of hospitality, so much so that tourists are warned against trusting anyone they meet as they could end up anywhere, sometimes even robbed and penniless. This is indeed frightening as who would want to visit a nation of liars and thieves. This may sound harsh but sadly this is the image being created by those who have been to Sri Lanka. Indeed, when considering the fact that Sri Lankans were well-known for being hospitable not only to foreign visitors but also to each other, now hospitality is used only to extort the maximum out of ignorant people. Yet another change in the local hospitality trade is that foreigners are charged nearly ten times of that which would be charged from a local, and that at the same time, foreign guests are given preferential treatment over local guests in hotels, restaurants and the like. Sadly, money is the order of the day.

In an age where knowing one’s roots is as important as moving with the times, Sri Lanka is losing this battle of striking a balance between the two. The culturally inclined society unfortunately is refusing to accept the changes that are inevitable, and as a result are in danger of losing its edge in a modern world, while at the same time compelling youngsters and the future generations to lose interest in and turn its back on a colourful culture and its diverse customs and traditions.

Written By: Piumie de Silva

Sri Lanka.