Mukurtuarchive.org Website Review

globalizing world. But is culture clash inevitable? Or can indigenous communities find new ways to fight back against cultural hegemony? Resorting to kneejerk opinions is not a helpful reaction to the expansion of a global culture. It is possible for indigenous communities to engage with the rest of the world while preserving the unique and cherished aspects of their native customs. Pushback is understandable in the face of what seems to be a threat to the fundamental way of life of members of fragile communities. It is our job, as citizens of a global community, to show compas*ion and empathy for tribes that have been encroached on and threatened for When we take on board the context of these interactions and the power dynamics and dialogue. Foisting rapid change on people can lead to alienation and hostility in the best of circu*stances The Mukurtu project is an apt example of product design that builds in sensitivity to the needs of an indigenous user base. By offering tailored solutions that mesh technology with the protection of culture and customs, Mukurtu offers a means for vulnerable communities to The importance of projects like Mukurtu becomes apparent when we take into account the potential for generic technology to disrupt and fundamentally alter the way of life for people around the world. By demonstrating the power of the internet in a non-threatening way we can create a gateway for the acceptance of other digital technologies that may offer a lifeline to communities struggling to reconcile the survival of their heritage with the growing global economy. Worldwide demand for raw materials and agricultural products can stimulate new opportunities for growth in communities that have long been shielded from economic gains in other nations. For instance, aspects of traditional medicine have gone mainstream via the nutraceuticals industry, forging new export markets that simply didn’t exist a few decades ago. Take ashwagandha, for example: what was once a little-known herb lauded in traditional Indian medicine has now gone mainstream, making