As the UN’s World Tourism Organization has acknowledged, tourism can play a vital role in promoting cultural understanding, tolerance and respect, which is why the theme “linking cultures” has been chosen for the 2011 World Tourism Day (to be celebrated on September 27). Often, in an area with indigenous populations, or people who are original to the land, one of the greatest assets is traditional culture. Through mindfully operated cultural tours, indigenous groups have something a great deal to offer – and to gain! – from exchanges with tourists.

Here we share a roundup of some of our favourite indigenous culture tours found in the whl.travel network of local tour operators.

In the Embera indigenous communities of Panama, women wear a traditional headpiece of tropical flowers and use corporal paint. Photo courtesy of Panama Tourism Authority

Visit the Embera Indigenous Community of Panama

In a world faced by rapidly paced globalisation, sometimes it becomes necessary to take a moment, close your eyes and just breathe. If you are searching for a place that lends itself to breaths of truly fresh air, a place where you can break from modernity and ‘progress’, you will have much to learn from contact with the traditional Embera indigenous tribes and their playful children. In Panama, the Embera maintain a careful distance from global influences and a deep respect for their environment. They use palm trees and natural fibres as construction material; they wear only simple multicoloured woven cloth garments; they practice corporal painting and have dances for all occasions. Complete with flowers in their hair, they are just as their ancestors before them were.

To start a memorable day with the Embera, your hosts paddle you down a river in a traditional dugout canoe to their community, where the village warmly welcomes you. During your day, you witness traditional dances, feast on typical foods and learn local crafts. A walk through the village and the botanical surroundings further helps you understand the wild diversity of their natural environment. At the end of the day, you leave with tender memories of a remarkable cultural exchange with the indigenous Embera, a uniquely beautiful community.

Two local girls on Malekula Island in Vanuatu greet visitors with shy smiles. Untouched by the forces of globalisation, their curiosity about foreign cultures matches outsider's intrigue about Makekula daily life. Photo courtesy of John Nicholls

Explore the Malekula Island People of Vanuatu

Visitors to the Malekula Island of Vanuatu are always intrigued by the history of cannibalism on the island. The belief system of the island’s indigenous Namba population included cannibalism until about 100 years ago, when the practice became obsolete (on the Malekula). These days, however, among the indigenous Namba, other tribal practices continue to thrive in full colour, such as matting, dancing, face painting and vibrant costumes.

As part of a special seven-day island safari, whl.travel local partners John and Silvana Nicholls include a visit to Malekula and a taste of life with the local Namba people. The tour begins in the capital city of Port Vila and then proceeds to Malekula, where you stay in the locally operated Nawori Seaview Bungalows for three nights. During that time, you follow local guides on excursions to nearby tribal villages and even take a canoe trip to ex-cannibal Rano Island. Another highlight is a visit to the Big Nambas tribe, which is distinct from all other tribes in Vanuatu; their red-dyed textiles are a highly prized and much photographed artifact of indigenous Vanuatu island life.

An Akha woman smiles warmly. The Akha are one of the five main indigenous hill tribes of northern Thailand. Photo courtesy of flickr/AlphaTangoBravo / Adam Baker

Trekking to the Hilltribes of Northern Thailand

Chiang Mai is the second-largest city in Thailand and part of the Golden Triangle travel loop of Southeast Asia. It is also the gateway for tours of the hilltribes of northern Thailand, fascinating encounters in sharp juxtaposition with the pace of contemporary urban life. On a trip into the lush scenery of rural northern Thailand, you reach the mountainous region near the border of Myanmar and encounter the small communities of several different tribes, like the Lahu, the Karen, the Hmong (or Meo), the Lisu and the Akha, each with its own distinct costumes, language, traditions and livelihoods.

You can arrange a trip to the hilltribes of northern Thailand through Hilltribe Holidays, a tour operator dedicated to exploring areas near Chiang Mai in a respectful, culturally sensitive and sustainable way that creates enriching and mutually beneficial exchanges for everyone. You can take in the scenic mountain passages, waterfalls, breathtaking views and local tribal ways of life. Sharing home-cooked meals and ancient customs with the local communities is one powerful way Hilltribe Holidays creates a safe and constructive context for cross-cultural understanding.

In Venezuela's Canaima Nationnal Park, an indigenous guide of the Pemon tribe leads tourists through the protected area of the park and to the main attraction: Angel Falls. Photo courtesy of flickr/whl.travel

Discover Angel Falls with a Pemon Guide in Canaima Park, Venezuela

As one of the highest waterfalls in the world, Angels Falls is the major attraction at Canaima National Park in Venezuela. The waters of Angels Falls plunge 2,648 feet (807 metres) from top to bottom, inspiring photographers and filmmakers alike with its roar and mists set against lush green forests and glistening gray rock faces. Because of its remote location, though, reaching the famous cataract takes some doing. One travel option is a five-hour upstream trip in a traditional dugout canoe.

If you’re looking to experience Canaima Park beyond a glimpse of Angel Falls, a two-day tour led by an aboriginal Pemon guide takes you deep into the natural wonders and everyday customs of the indigenous populations. (The local language of the Pemon people is Cariban, spoken only by an estimated 15,000 people.) During the tour, the Pemon guide explains the indigenous people’s symbiotic relationship to the land. Over dinner, he shares some of the myths and beliefs of the tribe before you retire to sleep in hammocks under a brilliantly starlit sky and within earshot of the roar of the Angel.

The Bassari people of Senegal practice subsistence farming in their remote villages and celebrate their rites of passage with decoration and fanfare. Photo courtesy of Association ACoSTE

Experiencing the ‘Teranga’ of the Bassari People of Senegal

In Senegal, the Wolof word teranga describes the warm welcome that Senegalese people are known to bestow upon their guests, something the whl.travel local partners in Senegal are determined to share. One way of doing so is to lead you outside the hustle and bustle of the country’s urban areas and head straight into the heart of its local villages, some of which are inhabited by people indigenous to the land.

Tours like the 12-day Great Unknown Senegal or the nine-day trip to Park Niokolo Koba  and the surrounding area take you inside the daily life of several villages in Bassari country near the border with Guinea. The Bassari are subsistence farmers who speak a local language from the Tenda family and adhere to a belief system that is, at its root, animist.

Both tours, run by Réalirêves, the whl.travel local partner in Senegal, spend several days in remote villages outside Niokolo Koba National Park. Lodging is taken in a village encampment and the daily activities focus on time spent with the people. Lucky visitors arrive in time for to witness an initiation ceremony, the most common kind of Bassari celebration. On the way out of the area, the tour passes through a Bedick village, home to another tribe similar to the Bassari.

Dakar's Sandaga Market is the real deal. A huge melting pot of nationalities, including West Africans, Lebanese and Chinese, come here to sell their wares. Haggling or wahale skills are a must!

Dakar, Senegal

Dakar is proud of being West Africa’s leading city when it comes to cultural events or congresses and seminars. It’s one indication of its vitality – being the capital of a politically stable country helps a lot – and also means that there are plenty of opportunities for experiencing the magic of a local musical performance or enjoying the works of Dakar’s many visual artists.

Dakar promises an interesting mix of architectural styles, from ultramodern structures, large 1980s high-rises and colonial buildings to traditional hay huts and the artistic visions of the Hotel Sokhamon or Yengoulleen. Cutting-edge electronics and clothing stores rub shoulders with street hawkers, and hurrying office workers mingle with elegant, strolling driankes (local Senegalese women) wearing magnificent glittering traditional outfits.

Jérôme Kardos, your whl.travel local connection in Dakar, here lifts the lid on the town he fell in love with, showcasing what he believes is some of the best the city has to offer.

Day Trip

Head for Ile de Gorée (Gorée Island) – a World Heritage Site must-see! As you approach its shores to take in the fabulous views, the uniqueness of the place is visible even before you set foot on the island. What first springs to the fore is the remarkable freshness of the air and tranquil atmosphere (especially between 10 am and 5 pm outside the peak tourist season). There are no cars or motorbikes and only a few paved roads outnumbered by the small, sandy streets lined with very colourful houses. It’s a great place for a slow wander.

Goree Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1978, is one of Dakar's biggest tourist attractions. Steeped in history, it was once the centre of the West African slave trade and many poignant reminders of its troubled past remain.

Then you need to visit the highlights, including the Church of Saint Charles Borromée (Senegal’s oldest church); Castle Hill, location of the gun on which Victor Schoelcher sat to celebrate the abolition of slavery; the Fort d’Estrées; Université des Mutants; Musée Henriette Bathily (African Women’s Museum); and much more. But none of this will affect you as emotionally as a visit to the 1776 Maison des Esclaves (House of Slaves), a sobering memorial to the millions of Africans sold into servitude over about 350 years. Fortunately, the serene atmosphere of the island, with its Catholic and Muslim communities living peacefully together and celebrating each other’s religious festivals, immediately puts you back at ease.

Back on the mainland, the first building you encounter outside the port is one of Dakar’s greatest, a little gem of colonial architecture: the railway station. Then there are the museums (IFAN – Museum of African Arts – is a must), art galleries, shops, bars and restaurants. Melting into the crowd is a real experience, and one that requires a little practice, especially when you find yourself in the bustling marketplaces – the very heart of the town!

You can then leave the downtown Plateau area, which includes Independence Square, the Presidential Palace, Dakar Cathedral and Grand Mosque, and walk along the Corniche, a stunning coastal road. A tour of the Corniche is one of the most complete and well-balanced tours in Dakar. It can be focused on sightseeing (the Millennium Door or Magic Land amusement parks, Memelles lighthouse and Beach) or on local lifestyles (the Soumbedioune fishermen’s port and women’s fish market, the mosque and small fishermen’s port of Ouakam) with longer stops allowing time for interaction with local people in local hangouts.

Of course, there are other visits possible in the Greater Dakar area and penetrating deep into ‘authentic’ Senegal from Medina to Guediawaye, with a focus on arts or on local life. They should be considered a must for people supporting local travel who want to share real experiences.

The Corniche of Dakar is a beautiful coastal road that runs the length of the peninsula

Shopping

Dakar can be seen as a giant marketplace. Between the shops, exotic malls (not exactly the same as in Western countries!), street hawkers, arts-and-crafts markets and general markets, visitors are tempted around every corner by a dazzling variety of goods to suit every budget. Try a tour or head out on your own!

Restaurant

To get acquainted with the local cuisine, try some Dakar restaurants.

International risk-free dining and a satisfying local atmosphere can be enjoyed at Chez Loutcha (Senegalese and Cape Verdean cuisine), or the Imperial and Astoria restaurants. Niani, Lagon, Terrou Bi, Pointe des Almadies all combine an awesome location overlooking the sea with sophisticated cuisine, while Fatou Kim and La Marée, for example, are more simple beachside restaurants perfect for lovers of mussels, oysters, lobsters and Gazelle beer. The 63cl bottle of Gazelle is the cheapest beer and what all the locals drink; whether or not a bar or restaurant serves it is a good clue as to whether it’s a local place or not.

For some real local indulgence and homemade cuisine, local meals are very cheap (€2 including a local juice, like one made from the fruit of the baobab tree or a bissap made from the hibiscus flower). Although they are sometimes served in places without proper kitchens or seating areas, others are really quite decent and will not frighten someone used only to western-style food.

It would be a huge pity not to mention Dakar’s excellent street food, like the little, fried, sweet-and-savoury beignets (donuts), boulettes (fish balls), samosas and fataya (pastries filled with either meat or fish), or even sweets sold by women sitting in the streets. The best, however, has to be beef brochettes (kebabs) and dibi, grilled mutton slices so small and cheap (less than € 0,10 each) that you just buy as many as you like.

Just a five-minute boat ride from Dakar, Ngor Island is a hidden gem popular with surfers thanks to some excellent breaks. It has a range of dining and accommodation options and is a perfect city getaway.

Local Treats

Dakar’s best local treat is Ngor Island. Although not strictly within Dakar itself, this little-known island paradise is located only half a mile offshore and is easily accessible by pirogue (wooden motorboat). The island has some world-class surf breaks and was featured in the cult 1966 surf movie, The Endless Summer. It’s also a popular destination with wakeboarders, scuba divers and snorkellers. Water sports aside, it’s the perfect location to relax and enjoy the breathtaking views, delicious fresh seafood and tranquil surroundings. You might even bump into US R&B artist, Akon, who has a house on the island!

Night Out

Make sure you don’t miss the Dakar nightlife. Try the famous Club Thiossane (owned by the legendary musician Youssou N’dour), Kilimandjaro (Thione Ballago Seck’s place), Sahel (the oldest club in town), Chez Iba (Salsa/Afro-Cuban music) and, of course, Just 4 U, the perfect compromise between hip fashion, authentic atmosphere and high-quality artists (it boasts the very best musicians). There are also plenty of small clubs with excellent musicians playing everything from jazz to traditional music.

Friendly bars can be found in any part of town, from downtown to the districts of Almadies and Ngor. Some can be a bit expensive for local budgets. If you’re not afraid of really checking out the local scene, the tiny drinking dens – sometimes just a room in a family house – will really put you in touch with the locals, who love to shoot the breeze with other customers.

Getting water is a fundamental part of both village life and the sustainable tourism experience in Senegal

Until recently, ‘sustainable tourism’ in Senegal was a label used by local tour operators only as a means to attract responsible travellers to the country.  After the 2007 presidential election, however, a green political party was formed with Haїdar El Ali, a well-known figure in environmental protection and activism, as its leader. Haїdar, who has worked closely with nature for years, understands that tourism and the environment are linked. He tirelessly conveys this message to governmental authorities, which has led to changes in the way the Ministry of Tourism and the tourism boards develop tourism projects, as well as the way Senegal is promoted abroad.

Haїdar El Ali is the founder and director of Océanium, a scuba-diving club in Dakar.  Started in 1984, the Océanium’s main activities have revolved around protection of the marine environment of Dakar and the surrounding areas. Then the club noticed that the problems were as bad on land as they were under the sea and expanded its activities to include protecting both land and marine environments in West Africa. The three-pronged approach to all projects involves the education of local communities in rural Senegal, discussions of the importance of protecting the environment and lobbying government, scientists, environmental activists and the media about the danger pressures on natural resources.

Of the many Océanium undertakings, one that stands out is the Bamboung project, which, with the support and hard work of the local community, can claim two big achievements. First is the creation of the Bamboung Marine Protected Area, located in the Sine Saloum Delta near the “Bolong” of Bamboung. It was established in 2003 in response to the threat of overfishing. After just two years, scientists reported 23 new species of fish and an increase in the number of predators feeding in the protected area.

An eagle-eye view of the Keur Bamboung ecolodge

The second achievement is the Keur Bamboung ecolodge, situated on a riverbank in the centre of the Saloum Delta. The eight huts make it possible to share the beauty of the area with tourists, but also to help the long-term self-sustainability of the Marine Protected Area. At the lodge, respect for the environment is paramount; the locals who help run the lodge therefore only use renewable energy sources and local produce.

Independent of the Bamboung project, but eager to emulate its success, is the village of Thioffior, more than 200km east of Dakar in the Ndiaffate rural community of the Kaolack region of central Senegal. Although the project is still in its infancy, anyone wishing to live like locals should go to Thioffior village, where lodging is at present in the locals’ houses. The villagers have created their unique haven and welcome visitors to it, as they have seen how the resulting income can help their community.  On the immediate agenda is construction of much-needed village facilities, such as schools and medical facilities, with long-term plans to build an ecolodge.

The children of Thioffior village are a fundamental part of its welcome

While this is all well and good in theory, how can travelers practically get involved? First and foremost, when booking accommodation in Senegal, allow time for a stay at either the Keur Bamboung ecolodge or Thioffior village. At Keur Bamboung, one  third of income goes towards the caretaking costs of the marine protected area, another third goes to the rural community of Toubacouta for the construction of schools and medical facilities and the last third covers the lodge’s operating and maintenance costs. Similarly, at Thioffior village, income is turned to community development needs, as well as saving for the ecolodge.

Other ways of contributing to both Thioffior village and Océanium projects include long-stay (plan for a week at least) volunteer work (there are even more options described here), during which visitors help the locals build village facilities. If the time commitment is a challenge, financial donations are always welcome. Spreading the word is also useful. Join the Océanium community on Facebook or Dailymotion.