An Indigenous Wisdom Framework to Sustainable Collaborative Indigenous Tourism Development: The Case of Nepal's Newars

Abstract

Although the structural and functional aspects of collaborative co-creation have been extensively studied, the socio-cognitive processes of multi-stakeholder collaboration within the Indigenous tourism development domain have barely been considered. Socio-cognitive processes that involve values, beliefs and attitudes contribute to a more nuanced understanding of the ontological, epistemological and methodological challenges that are associated with multi-stakeholder collaboration in Indigenous tourism development. Indigenous ontologies are characterised by interconnectedness, spirituality and connection between humans and nature. They differ from Western neoliberal principles, which prioritise rational and capitalist values and view nature as a resource to development rather than a living entity closely intertwined with our existence. This study seeks to circumscribe Indigenous peoples' traditional knowledge and sociocultural values to develop a framework that can assist in the development of sustainable and collaborative Indigenous tourism. As the researcher is an Indigenous Newar who conducted the study in an Indigenous Newari context, adopting a decolonial Indigenous methodology was natural. Charmaz's constructivist grounded theory further allows for an Indigenous standpoint, which encourages providing people with voice and agency. Using ethnographic methods of data collection, this thesis presents data and insights using traditional ontologies that underpin the collaborative practices that are inherent in Nepal's Indigenous Newars' cultural crucible called Guthi. The study first locates Indigenous Newars' ontology of relationality and its underlying value structures that shape Indigenous Newars' identity. Thereafter the study shows that Indigenous Newars' sociocultural values underpin the strong sense of community cohesion made possible within and through Guthi. This is a necessary precondition for the formation of collective consciousness and social capital for collaborative and sustainable Indigenous tourism development. This combined state amplifies the potential for co-creative engagement through collective sense-making that departs from logocentrism and anthropocentrism. Negotiation with internal and external stakeholders within society's superstructures follows the Indigenous community's collective sense-making process, including the negotiation of assumptions and biases, authenticity perception and role congruence within the superstructures of Nepal's tourism economy. Superstructure negotiation is fundamental for value co-creation that centres around Indigenous self-determination. The findings allow for the proposal of an Indigenous wisdom framework that articulates the mechanisms by which collaboration within and outside the communities takes place. This study makes a noteworthy contribution to existing theory by showcasing various factors that shape unilateral acts of reciprocity that are inherent in Indigenous Newars' community synergy. Methodologically, it articulates the decolonising Indigenous methodological approach to focus group discussion, which is identified in this study as the Newari Kha La Ba La, that is made possible through the incorporation of Newari sociocultural norms and ontology of relationality. Practical implications relate to the adoption of the Indigenous wisdom framework for grassroots Indigenous tourism development, honouring the norms of respect and reciprocity. The neoliberal extractive parachute approach is rejected in favour of reciprocity-centred, Indigenous-driven tourism development. Show more