Narrating Culture for the Visitors: Indigenous Children and International Tourism in Northern Iguazú (Misiones, Argentina)

Abstract

The north of the province of Misiones (Argentina) is characterized by the strong impact of international tourism on local economies and on the organization and use of the environment. In the city of Puerto Iguazú, the epicenter of these activities, the Mbyá Guaraní communities present their own proposals regarding tourism as well as the environment. Within this, Mbyá boys and girls carry out specific activities such as making and selling handicrafts, performing territorial tourism guides or singing in choirs. The realization of these activities, especially those that take place in the public arena, presents tensions for the communities, families and government agents. In this article, we propose to analyze the way in which children are included in such activities and experiences, and how both Mbyá children and their families debate the hegemonic significance of tourism, the environment and childhood.