The Negotiation of Identity and Belonging in Kakadu National Park

Visitors to Kakadu National Park engage with its heritage, particularly rock art, to shape their identities and behaviors. The study reveals that these visitors actively interpret the park's messages to negotiate a sense of belonging and conduct themselves in ways that align with or reflect Australian heritage values. This insight was derived from structured on-site interviews at Ubirr and Nanguluwurr rock art galleries, complemented by follow-up semistructured interviews months later. The findings highlight how heritage sites serve as dynamic spaces for personal identity formation and social interaction, offering a nuanced understanding of the interplay between heritage and individual belonging.

Waterton, E. (2018). The Negotiation of Identity and Belonging in Kakadu National Park. Heritage at the Interface. https://doi.org/10.5744/florida/9780813056579.003.0007