Global Q&A: ‘Are indigenous cultures respected in your country?’

Andy Lamb, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The Epoch Times

Indigenous cultures in general are seen as deprived of respect, their identity, and rights to their land, is what Epoch Times reporters from Dubai to Greece discovered when they asked locals:

Dubai, United Arab Emirates Sakina Feroz Vajihi, 20, Advertising Intern Yes, I do believe indigenous cultures are respected in my county [India]. Being Indian, we believe “Our culture is our identity.” The cultures back home in India, taught to us by our parents, have been passed on from generations. Our rich heritage contains history and tales that have been collaborated over the years, which soon enough gave birth to over 50 different festivals and ceremonies over the country that are celebrated by every individual. We believe in respecting our elders and their ways of living. Soon enough that way of life is integrated in our modernized world.

Itatiba, Brazil Meire Ferreira de Abreu, 54, Shop Owner If they were respected and their rights were preserved, there would not be so many territorial conflicts. In Brazil, the indigenous people lost their territory to the white man. They were getting more out of space, and the forests that were their homes were destroyed.

California, USA Chad Gledhill Jr. High-School Student Well, [it] isn’t obvious that they were treated terribly. I live in California and there are a few reservations out there and most of them are being denied a lot of different things that would be given otherwise in society. I have not actually studied it, so I don’t know exactly, but it seems that most are still complaining about how they haven’t been given fair treatment at least, that is, in the sense that they want. I mean they might be treated just the same as everyone else, just as equally, but they have suffered a lot so maybe they deserve to get more.

Ikaria Island, Greece Aliag Iliriana, 41, Housekeeper Yes. We must have communication with people, be open, and have respect for everyone. If you are an open-minded person you respect everything and you can see everything. Today, there is someone in your country; tomorrow, maybe you will be in their country. We shouldn’t be insular. We have to respect ourselves and others.

Gothenburg, Sweden Emelie Jonsson, 24, Sociology Major  In my opinion there is no such specific Swedish culture anymore, much because in a way, it is a kind of taboo (forbidden) to talk about these issues. People are afraid and mix being proud of their own roots with the extremist movements, and don’t really dare to celebrate, for example, the Swedish national day. There are some groups in society that are really extreme, and that is scary. ... But this is absolutely an interesting question, I think.

Puerto Montt, Chile Evelin Pingele Salazar, 22, Saleswoman No, they are not. On the surface, the governments in power do things to give the impression that they are indeed respected. However, their rights as ethnic groups have always been violated, and they have been removed and stripped of their land, marginalized, mistreated, and confined to remote places to live in inhumane conditions. … Their leaders are being prosecuted and jailed for opposing and resisting. Let’s not forget, that since the beginning of history, these people have been dashing proud of their customs, and also that their blood runs through our veins.

Medellín, Colombia Sandra Restrepo Daza, 33, Sewing Machinist I think we are just learning to respect and value them. Nowadays, they are not really respected out of ignorance of different cultures, races, [and] colors. I believe that we need more cultural [education] about this subject.

Look for the Global Q&A column every week. Epoch Times correspondents interview people around the world to learn about their lives and perspectives on local and global realities. Next week’s global question: “What kinds of judgments do you make about people based on their accent or dialect?” The Epoch Times publishes in 35 countries and in 19 languages. Subscribe to our e-newsletter.