You just landed in a beautiful new place, ready to “immerse yourself in the culture.” Maybe you bought a wide-brimmed hat. Maybe you’ve watched a documentary or two and feel enlightened. And then—BOOM—you roll into an indigenous community with all the grace of a wrecking ball, snapping selfies at sacred sites and asking the locals if they “still live in huts.”
Yikes.
Here’s the thing: Indigenous cultures aren’t tourist attractions. They’re living, breathing communities with deep traditions, sacred practices, and, let’s be honest, way more patience than they should have when dealing with clueless visitors.
If you actually care about learning and experiencing indigenous cultures, you need to approach with respect, humility, and the understanding that not everything is meant for your Instagram.
So, before you go full “Eat, Pray, Exploit,” here’s how to be a decent human being while traveling.
1. Sacred ≠ Selfie Backdrop
Look, we get it. That temple, ritual, or traditional ceremony looks insanely cool. But before you start snapping pictures like a paparazzo on a caffeine high, ask yourself: Is this moment meant for me?
- Some traditions are private. Respect that.
- Some places are sacred. Don’t walk in like you own the joint.
- Some moments aren’t for outsiders. Not everything needs to be “content.”
When in doubt, ask before you act. Because the last thing the world needs is another influencer getting canceled for culturally clueless behavior.
One of the most glaring examples of cultural disrespect is tourists treating sacred sites like a backdrop for their next #wanderlust post.
Example#1: Climbing Uluru (Despite Being Told Not To)
Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock in Australia, is one of the most sacred sites for the Anangu people. For years, they requested visitors not to climb the rock because of its deep spiritual significance. Yet, people kept climbing it anyway—because, hey, the view is nice.
It took until 2019 for the government to officially ban climbing Uluru. And what did some travelers do?
Rush there in the final days before the ban to get in one last climb, completely disregarding the wishes of the indigenous community.
That’s not appreciation. That’s entitlement.
The Right Way: Visiting Uluru today means experiencing it through guided indigenous tours, hearing the Anangu people share its stories, and witnessing its majesty without trampling all over their sacred beliefs. Now that’s respect.
Example#2: Tourists Taking Part in Ayahuasca Ceremonies Without Understanding Them
Ayahuasca, a sacred plant-based brew used in Amazonian indigenous traditions, is meant for spiritual healing and deep introspection. But thanks to Western travelers looking for “life-changing” experiences, ayahuasca has become a tourist attraction—sometimes even led by fraudulent shamans who exploit the demand.
Tourists flock to South America to try it—often with zero understanding of its cultural and spiritual significance—turning what should be a sacred practice into just another trippy experience.
The Right Way: If you’re interested in a cultural or spiritual practice, do your research first.
- Is it appropriate for outsiders to take part?
- Who is offering the experience? (Is it an actual indigenous guide, or someone profiting off of the trend?)
- Are you respecting the traditions behind it, or are you just looking for an experience?
Example#3: Headdresses at Music Festivals
Native American headdresses (war bonnets) are highly spiritual symbols—worn by respected warriors and leaders in certain tribes. They are earned, not just something anyone can put on.
Yet, every year, you see non-indigenous people wearing them to Coachella like they’re just another accessory.
The Right Way:
✔ Before wearing something from another culture, ask yourself: Is this mine to wear?
✔ If it holds spiritual or cultural significance, leave it to the people who have the right to wear it.
✔ Instead of taking symbols, support indigenous fashion brands that create contemporary designs in a way that honors their heritage.
2. You Are a Guest, Not an Anthropologist
News flash: Just because you watched a documentary doesn’t mean you understand a culture. Indigenous people aren’t here to perform for you, educate you on demand, or answer every “But why do you do it this way?” question.
If someone is willing to share their history, traditions, or way of life—great. Listen, learn, and appreciate it. But don’t:
🚫 Treat them like a living museum exhibit
🚫 Ask invasive questions (No, their traditions aren’t “weird.” Your attitude is.)
🚫 Try to “correct” their practices with your modern wisdom (just… don’t.)
You’re there to learn, not evaluate. Stay humble.
“I Went There, So Now I’m an Expert” Syndrome
Many travelers love to “experience” indigenous cultures—but then go home and act like they’re official experts on the subject after spending three days in a village.
Cringe Example: The White Savior Complex in Africa
You’ve seen the photos. A well-off traveler (usually from the West) posts a picture surrounded by smiling indigenous children, captioned:
“These kids have so little, yet they are so happy. This trip changed my life.”
What’s wrong with this?
- It centers the traveler’s experience rather than the reality of the people they visited.
- It often reduces an entire culture to poverty tourism rather than complex, thriving communities.
- It can reinforce the “white savior” mindset—where outsiders believe they need to “fix” indigenous communities rather than support them on their terms.
The Right Way: Instead of making the experience about yourself, amplify indigenous voices. Share their businesses, initiatives, and work. Engage with organizations led by indigenous people rather than ones that just bring in outsiders to “help.”
3. Buying “Authentic” Souvenirs? Make Sure They’re Actually Indigenous-Made
That “handmade indigenous craft” at the airport gift shop? Yeah, that was probably mass-produced in a factory a thousand miles away. If you actually want to support indigenous communities, buy directly from them.
✔️ Go to community-run markets, co-ops, or directly from artisans.
✔️ Avoid big tourist traps selling knockoffs.
✔️ Be prepared to pay a fair price—because real craftsmanship isn’t cheap.
Remember: Supporting indigenous economies = real cultural appreciation. Buying plastic replicas from a duty-free store? Not so much.
Nothing screams missing the point like buying mass-produced “indigenous” crafts from an airport gift shop.
Example: Fake “Native American” Dreamcatchers
Dreamcatchers are deeply spiritual objects in many Native American cultures, especially among the Ojibwe people. Yet today, most dreamcatchers sold in mainstream stores aren’t even made by Native American artisans. Instead, they’re cheaply produced in factories, often with no connection to indigenous culture at all.
Example: “Handwoven” Mexican Blankets… From China
Those vibrant, “authentic” Mexican blankets tourists love?
Many of them are mass-produced in China and India, not by Mexican artisans. Real sarapes and rebozos are woven by skilled craftspeople, often using traditional looms and techniques passed down through generations. Buying the cheap knock-off versions doesn’t just cheat you out of quality—it undercuts the livelihoods of real Mexican weavers who actually deserve your support.
Example: “Maori” Tattoos That Aren’t Even Maori
Traditional Ta Moko tattoos hold deep significance for the Maori people of New Zealand, telling stories of ancestry, status, and personal history. But guess what? Most “tribal” tattoos slapped on tourists at beachside parlors are just random patterns with no real meaning. Worse, some people get actual sacred symbols inked on them with zero understanding of their significance. If you wouldn’t tattoo a random Bible verse in a language you don’t speak, maybe don’t do it with someone else’s sacred art.
Example: “Authentic” Banarasi Sarees—Made in a Power Loom
A real Banarasi saree is a masterpiece, woven by skilled craftsmen in Varanasi, often taking weeks or months to complete. But many so-called “Banarasi” sarees flooding tourist markets are machine-made imitations, mass-produced in Surat or China. If you got one for ₹2,000, congratulations—you bought a fancy bedsheet, not a heritage craft.
Example: Fake Rudraksha Beads That Are Just Seeds
Rudraksha beads hold spiritual and medicinal significance in Hinduism, especially the rare ones with multiple “mukhis” (faces). But guess what? Most of the cheap Rudraksha malas sold outside temples and spiritual hubs are random seeds or plastic imitations with zero spiritual value. If you bought one at a railway station for ₹100, let’s just say Shiva isn’t impressed. If you actually want authentic Indian handicrafts, buy from trusted artisans, government-certified emporiums (like Khadi or Cottage Industries), or verified online platforms that work with local weavers and craftsmen. Because the last thing you want is to come back from India thinking you scored a heritage artifact, only to realize you bought something Made in China.
4. Cultural Practices Are Not Your Next Party Trick
Nothing screams “I missed the point” louder than using a sacred cultural tradition as a quirky party stunt.
- That tribal face paint? Not a fun festival look.
- That sacred dance? Not your chance to show off your TikTok moves.
- That spiritual ceremony? Not a bucket-list experience for you to “check off.”
Appreciation ≠ Appropriation. Know the difference.
5. When in Doubt, Ask (And Accept the Answer)
If you’re not sure whether something is appropriate—just ask. And when someone tells you “No,” respect it.
If an elder says a practice isn’t for outsiders, don’t be that person who insists they have a right to experience it. Because newsflash: you don’t.
Final Verdict: Learn, Respect, and Don’t Be a Walking Cringe Compilation
At the end of the day, traveling to experience indigenous cultures isn’t about racking up “authentic” Instagram moments or treating traditions like a buffet of cool experiences to pick and choose from. It’s about respecting the people, the land, and the heritage—without making it all about you.
So before you whip out your camera at a sacred site, throw on a culturally significant outfit for “the aesthetic,” or crash a ceremony you don’t understand, take a deep breath and ask yourself: Am I here to appreciate, or am I just collecting content?
Because trust me, the only thing worse than being a disrespectful tourist is going viral for being one.
Experiencing indigenous cultures is an honor, not a right. The people you meet aren’t props for your adventure. Their traditions aren’t there for your entertainment. And the best way to appreciate their culture? Respect it.
Travel like someone who actually cares—not like someone who’s just collecting “authentic” experiences to flex on social media. Because at the end of the day, respect is the real souvenir worth bringing home.
The Bottom Line: Respect Is the Real Souvenir Worth Bringing Home
At the end of the day, true cultural appreciation means understanding that indigenous communities aren’t here for our entertainment. They don’t exist just to “enhance” our travel experiences. Their traditions, practices, and sacred sites are theirs—and the best way to appreciate them is to respect them on their terms.
So, before you book that next “immersive cultural experience,” ask yourself:
❌ Am I treating this like a learning experience or a photo op?
❌ Am I supporting authentic indigenous businesses, or am I buying into mass-produced exploitation?
❌ Am I respecting sacred traditions, or am I appropriating them for my own gain?
If your answer lands on the wrong side of these questions—adjust your approach. Because the world doesn’t need more travelers who just collect “exotic” experiences like souvenirs. It needs people who actually listen, learn, and respect the cultures they visit.
And if all else fails? Just don’t be THAT tourist.
🔥 DISCLAIMER: READ THIS BEFORE YOU GET OFFENDED 🔥
Before you clutch your ethically sourced pearls, let’s be clear: this is not an anti-travel rant. You’re allowed to explore new cultures, meet new people, and have life-changing experiences. In fact, you should! The world is incredible, and indigenous communities have some of the richest histories, traditions, and wisdom on the planet.
What you shouldn’t do?
❌ Treat indigenous people like exotic photo ops
❌ Assume you “understand” a culture after spending three days there
❌ Disrespect sacred traditions because you think they’d look great on your social feed
And before the “But what about—” crowd shows up:
- “But I just want to appreciate their culture!” Awesome. Just do it respectfully.
- “But what if I didn’t know something was offensive?” No worries. Now you do. Adjust accordingly.
- “But isn’t culture meant to be shared?” Yes, but on their terms, not yours.
If this disclaimer made you uncomfortable, don’t worry—it’s just your ego going through its personal growth phase. You’ll be fine. Just remember: respect, ask, listen, and learn. It’s not that hard.
And if all else fails? Just don’t be THAT tourist.
