Uluru: A Cultural Landform

This report discusses the cultural significance of Uluru, the largest sandstone rock structure in central Australia. It explores the debate surrounding climbing the rock and the impact of its closure. The report also evaluates cross-cultural miscommunication using GLOBE models of culture. Recommendations are provided for promoting cultural values and resolving miscommunication.

Uluru a cultural landform

TABLE OF CONTENT
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
KEY CONCEPTS ...........................................................................................................................1
Should tourists be able to climb the rock ....................................................................................1
Effects of closing the rock...........................................................................................................2
REVIEW AND IMPLICATION OF GLOBE MODEL ................................................................2
Identifying cross cultural miscommunication using GLOBE models of culture ........................2
RECOMMENDATION AND CONCLUSION ..............................................................................4
REFERENCES ...............................................................................................................................5

INTRODUCTION
Uluru which is also known as the Ayers Rock is the largest sandstone rock structure and
is situated in central Australia. The rock is sacred to Pitjantjatjara Anangu, aboriginals of the
region (Hendrickx, 2018). Uluru is one of the most attractive feature of Uluru Kata Tjuta
national park and is also listed in world heritage sites of UNESCO. The climbing on rock has
been in question from long time by aboriginals on the grounds of cultural and spiritual
significance of rock as well as for the environment, site protection and safety of visitors. The
report will discuss the different perspectives associated with climbing and impact of closing
rock. It will also evaluate the cross cultural miscommunication by applying GLOBE model.
KEY CONCEPTS
Should tourists be able to climb the rock
Uluru has great significance in terms of spirituality. In 1983 when Anangu were given
the authority as traditional custodians of rock it was also agreed that climbing will be banned.
Though spiritual significance of the rock is prime concern due to which tourists must not be
allow to climb the rock but visitor safety is also one of the driving force for such decision. The
land is considered as dreamtime track and thus Anangu's repeatedly request the visitors to not
climb the land as respect to their culture. Uluru rock is also highest rock and thus high speed
winds, high temperature also cause dehydration and vast health challenges for the visitors (Olson
and Dowling, 2018). As a result of this there are significant number of deaths due to this
recreational climbing.
Another reason which supports the claim to prohibit tourists from climbing is that since
place is considered as sacred similar to church for Anangu's thus activities such as golfing,
nudity or striptease on climbing act as insult or disrespect to the beliefs of aboriginals and
sacredness of the rock. The traditional Tjukurpa beliefs also restricts photography or gender liked
rituals and thus visitors are requested to not climb on rocks or to encourage photography. It has
been also argued by the officials and local communities that the tourists must not climb the rock
for the sake of its protection from heritage perspective.
With increasing number of climbing activities rocks are scraped and the natural heritage
is also damaged by increasing tourism activities such as landfills at the height or the climbing
route (Hendrickx, 2019). It not only act as concern from spiritual purpose but also from
sustainability purpose. In addition to these factors the steep rock also has huge safety concerns
1

for the climbers. Thus for respecting the cultural values of local communities and safety risks
tourists should not climb Uluru.
Effects of closing the rock
Since 26 October 2019, climbing at Uluru rock has been banned officially by the
government. Though the rock is closed for climbing but still visitors can explore the local
heritage and sites of Uluru. When decision was passed to ban the climbing then on the last day
before ban there was huge crowd of tourists in line who gathered to climb the rock for the last
time (Uluru climbing ban: Tourists scale sacred rock for final time, 2019) . The massive crowd
was seen as the disrespecting to aboriginals and their culture. However after closing the rock the
Anangu can feel protected and secured as their spiritual symbol has now gain legal protection.
Though ban is supported by many people but there are groups who claims that ban must not be
continued or imposed as All Australians have right to this heritage. The most influential impact
effect of ban will be observed in cross cultural communication. Earlier when Anangu community
used to request climbers to not climb on rock then the lack of cultural understanding had
negative impact upon their relations. For instance climbers or visitors did not have any intention
to disrespect the culture or spiritual beliefs of Anangu but their recreational activity was
considered as means of disrespect in aboriginal culture. However with the rock closing there will
no such miscommunication issues. Anangu community still lives in poverty and challenging
situation.
However after closing now visitors will explore the rock only for visiting and
understanding the traditions and cultural beliefs of local communities. It will help to develop
better relation between the first Australians and the current Australian population (Chan, 2019).
This improving cross cultural relation will contribute in the social and economical development
of the aboriginals. In addition to this, Uluru is also one of the heritage site which must be
conserved. Thus rock closing will protect the heritage and cultural values of Anangu's. Apart
from the cultural and social benefits ban will also be beneficial for the environmental safety of
the region and for ensuring the safety and well being of its tourists.
REVIEW AND IMPLICATION OF GLOBE MODEL
Identifying cross cultural miscommunication using GLOBE models of culture
As per GLOBE model cultural aspects have complex and critical impact on economic
competitiveness of society, human conditions, organisational activities and leadership. Different
2

cultures have different values and social practices. This model identify the various cultural
dimensions such as gender egalitarianism, performance and future orientation, uncertainty
avoidance and in group collectivism (Norman, 2017). These elements can also lead to the cross
cultural miscommunications between different cultures as identified in first Australians and the
current population of Australians.
The first potential miscommunication is related to power relations and psychological
phase. For instance climbing of Uluru is considered as adventurous to current generation. It is
believed by them that since Uluru is subjected to so huge heritage importance it must be
promoted as tourist destinations and all Australians must have authority to explore it. On the
other hand Anangu believes that their ancestors and they have the responsibility to safeguard and
respect the rock and thus its sacredness and physical existence must be protected.
Since Anangu's are also given authority and control through legal agreement they can
demand for the climbing or other prohibitions which threaten their culture and spiritual beliefs.
Similarly Anangu are very firm on gender roles. There are some beliefs or traditions which are
meant only for men while others are for women only (Chan, 2018). The practices or some
regions of rock are also classified on the basis of gender roles. Contrary to this in modern or
current Australian society such kind of gender based classification is not accepted. Thus it
creates another potential conflict on gender basis as well.
Current Australian population does not believes in practices which favours any one
gender. Thus their practices during visit to rock can create controversy or miscommunication
with other culture. The cultural differences among both the communities is also creating power
related issues. According to GLOBE model different communities have different perceptions
regarding power, authority and control. For instance many people in current Australian
population believes that since Anangu's have spiritual faiths with rock, prohibitions on climbing
are acceptable. On the other hand there are some groups which also believes that in ancient times
as well there used to be rock climbing by whites and even Anangu community was engaged in
the activity as guide.
Along with this on the basis of respect to tradition and gender based restrictions these
aboriginals does not have any evidences which support that sacredness of place is harmed by
climbing activities (Olson and Dowling, 2018). However both current and first Australian
community agree that despite cultural miscommunication Uluru is part of Tjuta national park and
3

tourism activities are beneficial for the national as well as local development. However the key
miscommunication arises on the basis of psychological perspectives on the matter of rock
climbing. One of the critical reason for such cross culture conflict is also known as economic,
social and educational gaps (Bott, 2018) . Current Australian population used to pay more
attention to education and development approaches as compare to traditions and culture. On the
other hand first Australians are highly committed towards their ancient practices and partially
accepting existing development goals and practices.
RECOMMENDATION AND CONCLUSION
It can be concluded from the above report that Uluru holds a great cultural and geological
significance to not only aboriginals but also to remaining part of the world. Thus the feelings,
spiritual beliefs, traditions and culture of Anangu people must be respected. It has been also
analysed from the study that cross cultural miscommunication must be taken into account while
promoting tourist destinations. It is also recommended that tourism development must not be
encouraged at the cost of interest of local communities.
Hence visitors must respect the cultural values of other communities. The climbing of
such rocks with cultural and geographical significance also affect the natural habitats of species
in the region. Thus their biological and sustainability importance must also be promoted. For
promoting and valuing different cultures issues related to cross cultural miscommunication must
be addressed and resolved. For this purpose government, travel agencies, local communities and
tourists must work in collaboration and they must be educated regarding cultural and geological
significance of tourism destinations like Uluru.
4

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Bott, E., 2018. 11 ‘Frontier climbing’in the wild, wild East. Affective Geographies of
Transformation, Exploration and Adventure: Rethinking Frontiers, p.91.
Chan, E., 2018. Mindfulness Promotes Green Product Choices Via Environmental
Awareness. ACR European Advances.
Chan, E.Y., 2019. Mindfulness promotes sustainable tourism: the case of Uluru. Current Issues
in Tourism, 22(13), pp.1526-1530.
Hendrickx, M., 2018. The ban on climbing Ayers Rock is immoral and illegal. Quadrant, 62(4),
p.14.
Hendrickx, M., 2019. Climb the rock now while you still can. Quadrant, 63(6), p.63.
Norman, J., 2017. Why we are banning tourists from climbing Uluru. The Conversation, 6.
Olson, K. and Dowling, R., 2018. Geotourism and cultural heritage.
Online
Uluru climbing ban: Tourists scale sacred rock for final time. 2019.
<https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-50151344>
5