Writing the Hamat'sa: Ethnography, Colonialism, and the Cannibal Dance

The Hamat̓sa is a crucial hereditary privilege of the Kwakwa̱ka̱wakw of British Columbia, which has been documented by anthropologists since the late nineteenth century. Writing the Hamat̓sa examines attempts to record, describe, and interpret the dance over four centuries, focusing on Indigenous agency and textual mediation in the process of fashioning modern identities under settler colonialism.

Format: Hardback
Length: 512 pages
Publication date: 12 August 2021
Publisher: University of British Columbia Press

Long renowned as the Cannibal Dance, the Hamat̓sa holds immense significance as one of the most cherished hereditary prerogatives among the Kwakwa̱ka̱ꞌwakw of British Columbia. During the late 19th century, when anthropologists arrived to document this practice, colonial agents were actively working to eradicate it, while the Kwakwa̱ka̱ꞌwakw were adapting it to survive. As a result, the dance, characterized by its dramatic choreography, magnificent bird masks, and eerie aura of cannibalism, found its way into a vast corpus of ethnographic texts.

In Writing the Hamat̓sa: Negotiating Representations of the Cannibal Dance, we embark on a critical exploration of the diverse attempts made over four centuries to record, describe, and interpret this captivating dance. This book goes beyond the usual postcolonial critiques of representation, which often overlook the agency of Indigenous people in the ethnographic encounter. Instead, it delves into the intricate forms of textual mediation and Indigenous responses that played a pivotal role in transforming the ceremony from a series of specific performances into a widely recognized cultural icon.

Through meticulous research, this book sheds light on how Indigenous people actively contribute to, contest, and repurpose texts in the process of forging modern identities amidst settler colonialism. It uncovers the complex negotiations and power dynamics that shape the representation of the Hamat̓sa and its significance within Kwakwa̱ka̱ꞌwakw culture. By examining the various textual iterations and interpretations, Writing the Hamat̓sa provides a rich tapestry of insights into the ways in which Indigenous peoples navigate the complexities of cultural preservation, representation, and identity formation.

This book is a valuable resource for scholars, students, and anyone interested in Indigenous studies, cultural heritage, and the dynamics of power and representation. It offers a fresh perspective on the enduring legacy of the Hamat̓sa and its role in shaping the cultural landscape of British Columbia and beyond.

Weight: 880g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780774863773