Negotiating Cultural Sovereignty Vs Tourism Commodification in Tourism Governance

A Case Study of Pampang Cultural Village, East Kalimantan

Abstract

This study explores the complex dynamics of tourism governance in the Pampang Cultural Village, East Kalimantan, focusing on the ongoing negotiation between the cultural sovereignty of the Dayak Kenyah community and the inevitable pressures of tourism commodification. As a prominent cultural destination, Pampang faces a critical dilemma: the need to generate economic revenue versus the imperative to protect sacred traditions from being reduced to mere commercial spectacles. Using a qualitative case study approach, this research investigates how local governance structures comprising indigenous councils, government agencies, and private stakeholders mediate these conflicting interests. The findings reveal that while tourism has provided a platform for cultural visibility and financial gain, it has simultaneously led to the staged authenticity of rituals and the modification of traditional arts to suit tourist expectations. This process of commodification poses a significant threat to the community’s autonomy over their ancestral heritage. The study identifies the negotiation strategies employed by the Dayak community to reclaim their sovereignty, including the enforcement of customary laws (Adat) and the selective disclosure of sacred knowledge. The research concludes that sustainable and responsible tourism governance in East Kalimantan requires a shift from top-down management to a community-led model that prioritizes indigenous rights over commercial expansion. This balance is essential to ensure that the development of the New Capital City (IKN) nearby does not further marginalize the cultural integrity of East Kalimantan’s indigenous populations.