Hybrid Identities and the Other: Indigenous Culture and Representation in Tariq Rahman’s Bingo

Abstract

This research aims to explore the depiction of indigenous culture in Tariq Rahman’s short story Bingo. Rahman’s portrayal of indigenous culture is analyzed to point out features that fully depict the culture by employing a qualitative approach and delves into the thematic analysis. Edward Said’s Orientalism (1978), Homi K. Bhabha’s Hybridity (1994) theories work as a theoretical framework which highlights the author’s positive and negative representations that create a picture of identity, Indigenous struggles and resilience. This paper also analyses how Rahman portrays them as presenting indigenous culture as an inexpensive façade which also captures the Native Americans’ exploitative culture as ‘Other’. The research concludes an authentic portrayal of indigenous culture and its incorporation into Bingo which not only highlights the necessity of diverse and genuine representation of the oppressed citizens of the society but also demonstrates the potential of postcolonial literature to challenge the boundaries of cultural identity.