What is the theme in Dance Hall of the Dead by Tony Hillerman?

Culture and tradition are amajor themes in this book. The story's protagonist, Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn, spends a lot of time reflecting on the value of culture and tradition during the course of his investigation into a Zuni boy's murder. Leaphorn experiences a subtle level of discrimination from the clannish Zuni because of his Navajo background. Leaphorn even admits to having a minor inferiority complex about the Zusi, whom he admires despite their feelings about Navajos. In ancient times, Zuni tribal initiations actually involved scalping a Navajo.