Selling the Serengeti: The Cultural Politics of Safari Tourism (Geographies of Justice and Social Transformation Ser. Book 23)

Situating safari tourism within the discourses and practices of development, Selling the Serengeti examines the relationship between the Maasai people of northern Tanzania and the extraordinary influence of foreign-owned ecotourism and big-game-hunting companies. It looks at two major discourses and policies surrounding biodiversity conservation, the championing of community-based conservation and the neoliberal focus on private investment in tourism, and their profound effect on Maasai culture and livelihoods. This ethnographic study explores how these changing social and economic relationships and forces remake the terms through which state institutions and local people engage with foreign investors, communities, and their own territories. The book highlights how these new tourism arrangements change the shape and meaning of the nation-state and the village and in the process remake cultural belonging and citizenship. Benjamin Gardner’s experiences in Tanzania began during a study abroad trip in 1991. His stay led to a relationship with the nation and the Maasai people in Loliondo lasting almost twenty years; it also marked the beginning of his analysis and ethnographic research into social movements, market-led conservation, and neoliberal development around the Serengeti. Situating Safari Tourism Within The Discourses And Practices Of Development, Selling The Serengeti Examines The Relationship Between The Maasai People Of Northern Tanzania And The Extraordinary Influence Of Foreign-owned Ecotourism And Big-game Hunting Companies. It Contrasts Two Major Approaches To Community Conservation - International Ngo And State-sponsored Conservation Efforts On The One Hand And Neoliberal Private Investment In Tourism On The Other - And Investigates Their Profound Effect On The Maasai's Culture And Livelihood. It Further Explores How These Changing Social And Economic Forces Remake The Terms Through Which State Institutions And Local People Engage With Foreign Investors, Communities, And Their Own Territories. And Finally It Highlights How The New Tourism Arrangements Change The Shape And Meaning Of The Nation-state And The Village And In The Process Remake Cultural Belonging And Citizenship. Benjamin Gardner's Experiences In Tanzania Began During A Study-abroad Trip In 1991. His Stay Led To A Relationship With The Nation And The Maasai People In Loliondo Lasting Almost Twenty Years; It Also Marked The Beginning Of His Analysis Of And Ethnographic Research Into Social Movements, Market-led Conservation, And Neoliberal Development Around The Serengeti. -- From Back Cover. Chapter 1. Introduction : Safari Tourism, Pastoralism, And Land Rights In Tanzania -- Chapter 2. Loliondo : Making A Modern Pastoral Landscape -- Chapter 3. Community Conservation : The Globalization Of Maasailand -- Chapter 4. The Lion Is In The Boma : Making Maasai Landscapes For Safari Trophy Hunting -- Chapter 5. Nature Refuge : Reconstructed Identity And The Cultural Politics Of Tourism Investment -- Chapter 6. Joint Venture : Investors And Villagers As Allies Against The State -- Chapter 7. Conclusions : Neoliberal Land Rights? -- Appendix. Major Wildlife And Land Legislation. Benjamin Gardner. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 185-204) And Index.

Situating safari tourism within the discourses and practices of development, Selling the Serengeti examines the relationship between the Maasai people of northern Tanzania and the extraordinary influence of foreign-owned ecotourism and big-game hunting companies. It contrasts two major approaches to community conservation—international NGO and state-sponsored conservation efforts on the one hand and the neoliberal private investment in tourism on the other—and investigates their profound effect on the Maasai's culture and livelihood. It further explores how these changing social and economic forces remake the terms through which state institutions and local people engage with foreign investors, communities, and their own territories. And finally it highlights how the new tourism arrangements change the shape and meaning of the nation-state and the village and in the process remake cultural belonging and citizenship.

Benjamin Gardner's experiences in Tanzania began during a study-abroad trip in 1991. His stay led to a relationship with the nation and the Maasai people in Loliondo lasting almost twenty years; it also marked the beginning of his analysis of and ethnographic research into social movements, market-led conservation, and neoliberal development around the Serengeti.

Situating safari tourism within the discourses and practices of development, Selling the Serengeti examines the relationship between the Maasai people of northern Tanzania and the extraordinary influence of foreign-owned ecotourism and big-game hunting companies. It contrasts two major approaches to community conservation—international NGO and state-sponsored conservation efforts on the one hand and the neoliberal private investment in tourism on the other—and investigates their profound effect on the Maasai's culture and livelihood. It further explores how these changing social and economic forces remake the terms through which state institutions and local people engage with foreign investors, communities, and their own territories. And finally it highlights how the new tourism arrangements change the shape and meaning of the nation-state and the village and in the process remake cultural belonging and citizenship. Benjamin Gardner's experiences in Tanzania began during a study-abroad trip in 1991. His stay led to a relationship with the nation and the Maasai people in Loliondo lasting almost twenty years; it also marked the beginning of his analysis of and ethnographic research into social movements, market-led conservation, and neoliberal development around the Serengeti. Situating safari tourism within the discourses and practices of development, Selling the Serengeti examines the relationship between the Maasai people of northern Tanzania and the extraordinary influence of foreign-owned ecotourism and biggame- hunting companies. It looks at two major discourses and policies surrounding biodiversity conservation, the championing of community-based conservation and the neoliberal focus on private investment in tourism, and their profound effect on Maasai culture and livelihoods. This ethnographic study explores how these changing social and economic relationships and forces remake the terms through which state institutions and local people engage with foreign investors, communities, and their own territories. The book highlights how these new tourism arrangements change the shape and meaning of the nation-state and the village and in the process remake cultural belonging and citizenship. Benjamin Gardner's experiences in Tanzania began during a study abroad trip in 1991. His stay led to a relationship with the nation and the Maasai people in Loliondo lasting almost twenty years; it also marked the beginning of his analysis and ethnographic research into social movements, market-led conservation, and neoliberal development around the Serengeti Cover -- Contents -- Preface -- Acknowledgments -- List of Abbreviations -- CHAPTER 1 Introduction: Safari Tourism, Pastoralism, and Land Rights in Tanzania -- CHAPTER 2 Loliondo: Making a Modern Pastoral Landscape -- CHAPTER 3 Community Conservation: The Globalization of Maasailand -- CHAPTER 4 "The Lion Is in the Boma": Making Maasai Landscapes for Safari Trophy Hunting -- CHAPTER 5 Nature Refuge: Reconstructed Identity and the Cultural Politics of Tourism Investment -- CHAPTER 6 Joint Venture: Investors and Villagers as Allies against the State