Matrices of Cultural Hybridity and Indigenous Subjectivities in KimScott’s That Dead man Dance

Abstract

This research article explores the complicated relationship between cultural assimilation and identity among Indigenous communities in Kim Scott’s That Deadman Dance. It looks at how Aboriginal identity has been shaped by the dominant Western powers and the racial superiority imposed by white settlers. The study shows how racial differences created social hierarchies when two different cultures tried to live together, and how Indigenous stories were often ignored or twisted by the colonial authorities to control the narrative. The novel highlights the intense cultural conflicts between the native people and the powerful colonial forces.That Deadman Dance sheds light on the unfair discrimination and forced exclusion faced by Indigenous Australians because of imperial rule. It helps readers understand the racial tensions and the strength of Indigenous peoples in surviving generations of systemic oppression. Scott’s novel carefully examines how early relationships between Aboriginal people and British settlers changed from initial cooperation to growing cultural separation due to the uneven distribution of power during colonial expansion.Despite Indigenous peoples’ deep-rooted traditions and spiritual connection to their land, they were pushed to the margins through cultural suppression and racial violence. This article discusses the colonial power structures, the erasure of Indigenous knowledge, and the difficulties of defining true Indigenous identity in a contested cultural space. By moving beyond simple colonial ideas, That Deadman Dance calls for compassionate understanding between cultures.The study emphasizes how Scott challenges the false historical stories created by colonizers. Through his novel, he restores the sensitivity and experiences of Indigenous communities, presenting a vision of justice that recognizes their rights and promotes a shared sense of belonging.