Travel Tip 84
Where to find diaspora tourism
I spent all day in Buenos Aires’ Chinatown and loved it.
What is diaspora tourism?
Diaspora tourism usually refers to descendants of immigrants visiting their ancestors’ homelands as tourists.
Almost every country has some form of diaspora tourism. By some estimates, about a half a million US citizens of Scottish descent visit Scotland every year. The first time I visited Vietnam, in 2005, half of my tour group in the Mekong Delta were children of Vietnamese immigrants to the US. For all of them, it was their first time visiting Vietnam, and several told me that the trip made them feel more connected to their parents’ culture and language. Every year, there are more US companies that offer diaspora tours around the world, like Magic & Melanin and Black & Abroad, which bring African Americans to countries across West Africa.
Diaspora tourism is also where immigrants went.
Think about how many cities around the world have a neighborhood named Chinatown. I’ve visited Chinatowns in New York, San Francisco, Buenos Aires, and Lima, and tourists go for more than the food. (All the photos above are from Chinatown in Buenos Aires). Many cities that have large concentrations of immigrants from the same place have museums, art, music, and culture reflective of their immigrant ancestors. One of my favorites is the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago, which was called the Mexican Fine Arts Museum when I visited, years ago.
The Balé Folclorico da Bahia blends modern dance with Salvador’s African roots.
Diaspora tourism is often tied to slavery.
One of the biggest diasporas in the world comes from the estimated 10.7 million Africans who were sold into slavery in the Americas. They were the ones who survived the middle passage, of about 12.5 million who were put on ships departing Africa.
Salvador, Brazil is a popular destination for Brazilians with African heritage because of its strong African roots in every aspect of the city’s culture. The museum Cidade da Música da Bahia celebrates the African influence in local music and the Pelourinho neighborhood is home to the world famous Balé Folclorico da Bahia. The joyous music, colorful art, and delicious food make the place wonderful for tourism today, but the name pelourinho means pillory, or whipping post.
Salvador’s population is over 80% Black and the city’s leadership is not afraid to face its violent history. It’s not just Brazilians who visit Salvador. According to Essence, every year more African Americans visit the city, most of them intent on seeing its African roots. Read my Salvador blogs here.
Zumbi dos Palmares
Near Pelourinho’s preserved whipping post, is the monument to Zumbi dos Palmares, who was born free near Salvador in 1655. His leadership united communities of escaped slaves in Brazil but he was captured by the Portuguese and killed in 1695. Brazil now celebrates his leadership every year on November 20th, a national holiday called “Dia Nacional da Consciência Negra.”
Cities and countries that are willing to expose and even celebrate the most painful parts of their history are going to win tourists’ hearts, and dollars, in the growing diaspora tourism phenomenon.
Zapateo dancers during Chincha’s famous Epiphany celebrations.
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