Staging Indigenous Heritage: Instrumentalisation, Brokerage, and Representation in Malaysia

Staging Indigenous Heritage explores the cultural politics of four Indigenous cultural villages in Malaysia, highlighting the politics of brokerage and representation that reinforce dependency and compromise self-representation and self-determination. It challenges the simplistic conceptualization of Indigenous communities and emphasizes the active forging, struggle, and negotiation of Indigenous cultures in contemporary Malaysia.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 244 pages
Publication date: 29 April 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Staging Indigenous Heritage delves into the intricate cultural politics of four Indigenous cultural villages in Malaysia, shedding light on their often-complex dynamics. Through a critical examination of the relationship between Indigenous tourism and development through the establishment of these villages, the book uncovers the complexities of adopting the 'culture for development paradigm' as a developmental strategy. It demonstrates how the opportunities for self-representation and self-determination can become entangled with the politics of brokerage and the contradictory dualism of culture, leading to both positive and negative outcomes. Challenging the simplistic conceptualization of Indigenous communities as harmonious and unified wholes, the book reveals how Indigenous cultures are actively forged, struggled over, and negotiated in contemporary Malaysia.

This insightful work is a must-read for academics and students in the fields of museum studies, cultural heritage studies, Indigenous studies, development studies, tourism, anthropology, and geography. It provides valuable insights into the multifaceted nature of cultural heritage and the challenges faced by Indigenous communities in the context of development. Moreover, museum and heritage professionals around the world will find this book to be a valuable resource for understanding the complexities of preserving and promoting Indigenous cultures.

In conclusion, Staging Indigenous Heritage is a groundbreaking contribution to the field of cultural studies, offering a nuanced and comprehensive analysis of the cultural politics of Indigenous cultural villages in Malaysia. It challenges prevailing narratives and provides valuable insights into the complex dynamics of cultural heritage, self-representation, and development. This book is essential reading for anyone interested in understanding the rich tapestry of global cultures and the challenges faced by Indigenous communities in the 21st century.

Weight: 449g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367536916