Conceptualization and Existing Scholarship and Way of Seeing

Orang Asli and Santal communities criticize traditional archaeological and nation-state viewpoints for their tendency to objectify and exclude. They question the idea of conversion being used as a method in civilizing missions that support colonial and economic goals. The chapter highlights the significance of decolonizing research techniques by focusing on ethical data gathering methods and the researcher’s reflective “outsider within” perspective. It criticizes Western philosophical portrayals of indigenous peoples as lacking history or being sub-human and argues for their proper integration into academic discussions. This chapter enhances knowledge of conversion narratives by focusing on phenomenology and indigenous perspectives, emphasizing the importance of ethical reflection and decolonization in academic research.