I am Canadian as is my husband. And given that you talk so much about having respect for others beliefs why cant you extend that respect to people who (from your perspective) dont believe in anything? I came across this article at the right moment. If you contrast the religious history of First Nations in Canada to any other group (from the Hutterites to the Muslims) it is very clear who has been barely allowed to exist. A sort of body jewellery worn around the waist is the belly chain. "For Halloween, I think it's important just to kind of steer clear of those types of costumes," Moody-Ramirez said. They believe that the waist beads were part of the demonic rituals performed in the past in African cultures. I had planned to make dreamcatchers as part of a 10th grade American Indian Culture unit. I Vestiti: Italian Vocabulary for Clothing, Canadas National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Sorry for the semi-rant and thanks for the thought provoking post . Do you really think it is the case that People from an Islamic perspective are barely allowed to exist, much less have their cultural expressions respected? Critics alleged cultural appropriation (though that term hadn't yet become the buzzword that it is today). Some are fine with it, for the reasons you suggest that Mukluks are not ceremonial and are meant for everyday use. As I note above, this is not just some religious mumbo-jumbo with no further meaning. Cultural appropriation - Wikipedia I think it would be inappropriate to use religious or particularly sacred jewellery or clothing if you arent a part of that culture or religion. Therefore, people become vocal on matters of cultural appropriation as a means of maintaining and protecting their own cultural identity, which is already marginalized.. Along with that, if the waist beads have been purchased from an African business and the wearer supports black businesses, then . I remember years ago a Native friend of mine telling me how she much she disliked people getting tattoos of cultural symbols- whether Native symbols or otherwise. I am a Canadian woman (my heritage is Maltese and English, but I have lived in Canada my whole life). I realize it is not your job to educate me and am not placing expectations on you, so if you choose to answer, I will be grateful and honored. I still have them since they are beautiful and make me feel beautiful. it gives me an opportunity to actually speak to you and ask you your thought process behind this. This violates all kinds of Haida cultural practices. She used African fashion as an example of inspiration for designers like Jean Paul Gaultier, Donna Karan and Dolce & Gabbana. The vast majority of diaspora/urban Hindus are polite and accommodating. Interestingly, the fur trade companies started issuing voyageurs with plain red worsted sashes that were woven on looms in northern England because they were so useful. Hey, first of all id really like to thank you about this long but very informative, well written and well thought out blog entry. For one, they are worn by maidens across most of Africa. All the misinformation out there is a serious impediment to having Canadians understand who we are. Why the Conversation About Cultural Appropriation Needs to Go Further I know that the literal answer is yes, but I don't want to be disrespectful toward a time-honored tradition that I did not grow up in and am not a part of physically or spiritually. I truly want to do the right thing. Cultural appropriation is a seriously hot-button topic. (Expert Answer), Is 10k Gold Worth Anything? Now she is also a writer for our website. Im not much of a fan of the whole marginalism thing, obviously. Muslims are now over 2.8% of the population of Canada; they may outnumber indigenous people soon enough, as the projection is that the number will continue to rapidly grow. Its connection to the high courts by way of Emperor Napoleon Bonapartes wife, Empress Josephine, heightened its social status and inevitably inspired its popularity among the masses at that time. Aside from their spiritual meaning, waist beads have many other functions including being great waist trainers and fashionable accessories. But these beliefs are subjective and not factual. But is this cultural appropriation or high fashions attempt to salute indigenous cultures? that the world is forms that hold meanings) are completely marginalized. I do think when people of privilege do it, it adds insult to injury. Thank you so much for educating me on this issue. Learn how your comment data is processed. It does, however, provide a good ground for understanding what some of the key issues are and how to extrapolate to find the answers yourself. A Review of Cultural Appropriation and How To Spot It. Nonetheless, great article! My own opinion is that, if you devote yourself, you can probably put yourself into that chain of provenance reconstruct or resurrect it. Try not to wrap the string or tape too snugly around your body. In discussions about appropriation, typically, we refer to someone from the dominant culture taking something from a non-dominant and/or colonialized . [Her answer:] because it was beautiful seeing it there, i loved the colours and everything asnd i thought the best place to where one is the most unpredictable place, the next thing i know everyone had started doing it, i hope that helps. Required fields are marked *. A lot has been said on this issue, and although I do a lot of in-my-head work, I also read what other people have to say about these things. When they run out of ideas, they may go and borrow from another culture," she said. Im very sorry if (that?) The leather fringe purse youre crazy about may look great with your new outfit, but its actually modeled after a medicine bag, which has religious importance in indigenous cultures. most of asia are already aware about what white people have done by tainting Christianity and renaming the Christian lord jesus Christ when his real name is yeshua messiach and he wasnt white . Dressing up in Native American attire, as well as blackface, arepopular ideas of cultural appropriation. Telling me or anyone that they should respect the ideas or notions of one specific people group or culture is absurd. Schools likethe University of Michigan Ann-Arbor have put warnings of what cultural appropriation looks like. Amy Shumans work). When these people want to learn more about their own culture, they have to wade through so many inaccuracies that it can feel impossible at times to reconnect. The kirituhi are not restricted, and are specifically designed to accommodate interest in the style of tattoo, without violating the meaning of the t-moko. It's an act of cultural solidarity . There is a lot of debate on whether or not belly chains are cultural appropriation. Not to mention who confusing globalization has made all of this. There is obviously a culture clash in storytelling traditions, and while I can understand the Greek perspective, I lack the lived experience to understand the other side. When its your own culture, you can innovate, change it, interpret it, add to it. Its also been interesting to me, as an Asian-Canadian, to compare the differences and similarities in the way Native and East Asian cultures are appropriated, especially thinking in terms of restricted and unrestricted clothing and adornments. | Top List, What do you do with a culturally appropriative tattoo? Just as dressing up as a Native American would be inappropriate for Halloween, its offensive to pile on pseudo-Native attire to get in touch with your inner hippie at a rock concert, especially when you know little about the clothings cultural significance. I think its more appropriate to treat them on the same level as everyone else. I strongly agree with everything you said and I often fail to understand why people choose to be ignorant on the subject of appropriation. It is very likely that not every Maori person agreed this should be done at all, but you will never have complete agreement in any community. In terms of your analogizing the misuse of other symbols like the Victoria Cross etc. An obsession with small personal acts misses the point. When I have worn them in Canada, Ive only received positive comments Indians or Pakistanis. Your spidey-senses begin tingling when the person telling the story cant specific which community the story originates in, or what actual member of a community passed this story on. All that being said, I think most cases of cultural appropriation involve white people appropriating other colors. east Indians have been dehumanized by Europeans and further harassment will lead to problems. Additionally, those who choose to wear waist beads should do so respectfully, being mindful of their cultural significance and avoiding any offensive or disrespectful behavior. For my friends who still find it problematic. Specifically, the hyperindividualism of the movement, its emphasis on personal growth, and its profound materialism show the influence of the industrial capitalist ethos. I have to object to phrases like just some religious mumbo-jumbo with no further meaning. That, to me, is the root of the problem. Are Waist Chains Cultural Appropriation? Explained! - Fashion Manufacturing Answered! I am deeply honored to be a part of his family and I wear his artwork with pride, and often wear more than one piece at once, such as a belt, a necklace, and the bracelet. In many cultures, waist chains were also seen as a form of protection against evil spirits. The Sikh turban backstage at Guccis fall 2018 show during Milan Fashion Week. Etchiboy is a good website I use on occasion as it labels and describes each sash design, I believe with the intention of informing peopel hey this is a nice sash yes but its a FRANCO MANITOBAN sash. Ive stopped wearing it out of fear I dont deserve to wear it. I discovered waist chains a while ago and wanted to finally buy one but noticed it's mostly women of colour wearing them in the pictures. But its important to recognize when cultural appropriation occurs and that some of the Native apparel commodified dont just have cultural significance but also spiritual significance in Native American communities. Someone outside the culture might not realise what the symbol means and perhaps would not call that person out in disgust for wearing itbut those from within the culture probably would. What about when Aboriginal people exploit cultural teachings and or symbols and mass produce them? Enter your email address to subscribe to pihtawikosisn and receive notifications of new posts by email! We were told about how they represent woman. It is a serious impediment to understanding ourselves. I just want to understand where the line is, you know? When people admire it, I tell them that my brother made it and give them his business card, which I have in my purse just for this purpose. Are Waist Beads Evil? Is Wearing Waist Bead A Sin? I really want to show proper respect. due to invasion and theft as well violence and slander ,oppression racism, xenophobia of bigotry and defamation of character. Thanks so much for this. Usually this consists of being told to check my privilege (sorry, Im young, female, gay and most importantly a former foster kid who grew up in some truly horrible neighborhoods I may be white but try telling my teachers growing up that I was not trouble or jailbait telling me that I have no idea what it feels like to be discriminated against pretty much automatically gets me defensive even IF the person is making a good point.) The respect that one religion accords another may not be reciprocated: First Nations may be indulgent of monotheism, while the monotheists (in return) may regard everything about First Nations religiosity as the devil to be destroyed. It is a childhood memory of mine that I cherish, and recently I decided that I would like to commemorate those memories by getting an inukshuk tattoo. Are Waist Chains Cultural Appropriation? An In-Depth Exploration The issue gets confused as being about religion, when that is not necessarily what is going on. Let us discuss further to understand waist beads cultural appropriation and its . Nittle, Nadra Kareem. Even oral English culture does check out some of the excellent work done on the issue of Entitlement in English conversation and storytelling (e.g. We Interviewed 5 Cultural Appropriators at Coachella 2018 I have no interest in getting a CDIB (Certified Degree of Indian Blood) card. An Open Letter to Non-Natives in Headdresses. Thanks for posting this. Today my nephew posted the story on FaceBook. Dreamcatchers are such an overused, stereotypical pan-Indian symbol that its honestly better to avoid in my opinion. We have to stop guarding cultures and subcultures in efforts to preserve . On January7, the Native/First Nations Tumblr community came together as a unified force and took back our tags: #Native American, #NDN, and the ridiculous #Indian Hat. https://fashion-manufacturing.com/disclosure. Aboriginal beliefs and expression are not by any means alone. And also, is cultural appropriation only about symbols or can it also be about philosophies or practices? The blog Native Appropriations is a great place to do some reading. Understand their origin, purpose, and meaning. No, I do not think it is appropriate for non-native people to use this term, and the reason for that is more clearly fleshed out in that article. 22% off pre-orders of Buffalo is the New Buffalo. These symbols are restricted to those who have fulfilled certain criteria. Today, some women still wear the beads with pride or openly share their admiration. I think its a case of wanting to seem exotic or not as boring or perhaps even trying to distance themselves from white culture. For Gucci, this came just months after its Blackface sweater debacle. They are also popular in African culture. 2) I spent some time in India and wore saris every day. The younger generation, she said, is more aware and vocal about cultural appropriation due to the cultural diversity in metropolises, and their awareness of the lack of representation for specific groups of people. Oh, those who earned the symbol would still know what they did, and that would never go away, but part of the power of a symbol is what it says to others. Just a short Question about the feathers: What about me as a European wearing as an accessoire or using feathers in general (not eagle feathers, but from just any bird)? I think that some people from outside a culture can have legitimate access to these things, without it being cultural appropriation. 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To add to Leannes comment, I would like to that the sash is usually worn within the context of Festival du Voyageur, or by historic interpreters who are interpreting Mtis or fur trade history either at Festival or elsewhere. Cree people from younger generations now talk this way, for example. I knew about half of that from disparate contexts, but wasnt sure how it fit into the whole, and you made things very clear. I follow a black artist on tiktok (@kwiggity) who makes waist beads herself as well as educates about them and their surrounding cultural significance through her social media, and I feel like I have at least a tip-of-the-iceberg understanding and appreciation for the history. The Greek tradition is importantly informed by Writing, right? Kumi also believes when individuals or corporations try to profit off selling waist beads without giving cultural context they are appropriating African culture. The debate over waist chain cultural appropriation is complex and ongoing. However, we are up against the sheer volume of those stereotypes and sometimes it can feel like a losing battle. I find nothing wrong with someone wearing beaded Mtis moccasins, for example. In short, nittmitik, this issue isnt easy for anyone. The point of opposition to cultural appropriation is it is supposed to facilitate the process of decolonization, not segregation. I own a long yellow skirt with patterning on it in several colors and have been told it looks like a Bollywood skirt. If Ive ever done anything thats harmful to another persons culture I am truly sorry. During the circus that was the 2010 Olympics in Whistler, the Cowichan knitters of the beautiful and famous Cowichan sweaters were ripped off for chinese knockoffs, just as the symbolism of those games were a culturally ambiguous ripoff of the Inuit Inuksuk, which has nothing what-so-ever to do with BC aboriginal culture. Some members of the West African community view wearing waist chains for decorative purpose as rude and inappropriate, while others think it is unnecessary even if you are not of African descent. ThoughtCo, Apr. I do not care if you are religious, spiritual, or atheist. So yes. But, on the other hand, my dad had told me to carry it, and it seemed like an important task, and that was fresher in my mind. Afashionblog.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Another reason people assume that waist beads, especially those made of cowry shells are evil, is because these shells were used in traditional rituals that most people view as witchcraft today. Over centuries women have been known to adorn themselves with different accessories on different parts of their bodies. And today cultural appropriation can prove to be a minefield for companies that make missteps. I mean, what did they do for 10,000 years before the British government forced them into treaties in (what is now called) Canada? Is the Fashion Industry Appropriating Native American Culture. She said just wearing the costume of a character should be good, but adding features such as blackface, different hair or putting on tattoos can be insensitive. No, because the term and modern day concept is somewhat pan-Indian, meant to encompass a variety of diverse traditions. The tags were filled primarily with images of non-native hipsters in various stages of being clothed and soberness wearing headdresses, skewed ideas of natives, dream catchers, that damned two wolves story, and other racist stereotypical imagery of Native Americans and First Nations peoples. 1Using black hairstyles, like braids or cornrows. Im currently on a weight loss journey and I think the physical reminder of how far Ive come and how far Ive left to go would be something very personal and enriching for me but of course I dont want to steal something from a different culture, especially if it would be considered disrespectful. Waist chains have been used for at least 4,000 years, and they first appeared on the Indian Subcontinent. Lolita in fact has come full circle in a sense, as it is now worn by Europeans. I can hear just how clueless I sound in asking this- trust me. Initially, African women were known to adorn this accessory. It is simply not the case that the Cree built their farms on land that had formerly belonged to Hutterites (i.e., there is a glaring lack of reciprocity, in that the Cree do not have land given to them for colonies in Austria, where the Hutterites come from). I would love to support Aboriginal artists, but its difficult for someone not of the culture to know what is and isnt okay, especially with the colonialist history. I have no intention whatsoever to promote them as authentic Aboriginal art. In Exodus 12:35-36, through Moses, God instructed the Israelites to take articles of gold and silver from the Egyptians which included jewelry. It may have stemmed from the fact that waist beads serve to make a woman appear more sensual and hence more attractive to a man. india itself has only gained its independence back 67 years ago after invasions so it is clear they do not like white people tainting and watering down their religion .in fact white people are frowned upon by east Indians. "If there were any consciousness in this country of the huge problem of violence against Native women and the thousandsof missing and murdered Indigenous women in this country, they'd have to stop and think about what putting on a sexy Indian costume might mean," Speed said. Except I want to avoid all that negative stuff as best I can. In summary, one can conclude that there is no scripture in the bible that specifically states that waist beads are evil and that those who wear them are sinners condemned to hell. On the one hand you think youre neutral and logical and somehow unmarked, while the religious folks are all marked and non-neutral. [The photograph:] http://s3.amazonaws.com/data.tumblr.com/tumblr_lwx07foPHS1r97pzwo1_1280.png Just wanting to say that I love your blog. It shouldnt need stating that I am not presenting myself as an authority on this, but Ive found that I do need to include this disclaimer. I was raised in Nova Scotia, in a small town called Antigonish. I was actually glad you avoided that issue in your post. Waist beads are largely seen as an African accessory. I have a couple of questions, however. Given the varied meanings and significance of waist chains across different cultures, it is difficult to determine whether wearing them is an act of cultural appropriation or appreciation. ", "Parents can gently explain to their children, that depending on the age of the child, maybe a certain costume isn't the best choice because it might make their friends feel bad," she said. I felt uncomfortable doing so. I wanted a better answer than youre racist if you dont understand. Saying that its somehow worse in the aboriginal situation because aboriginals arent the majority is just continuing the discourse of aboriginals-as-children, I think. I think what you are describing is a situation where the wider population is aware of a particular cultural context and share parts of it. In recent years, celebrities have been called out by the public for their use of cultural appropriation for Halloween. Traditionally, a highly spiritual person was the one responsible for stringing the beads, and the materials, colors, and design were purposefully selected. We were taught about tradition and ceremony. Your post has really helped me understand the intricacies of cultural appropriation Ill admit, I wasnt before simply because the two approaches above really had me of the defensive. At the end of the day, like any accessory, waist beads are a way of self-expression, so its all about individual preference. The artist says she makes her beads for people of all races and she personally has no problem with it, but I want to try to get a broader scope on the issue and get as much feedback as I can to make sure I wouldnt be disrespecting or belittling anyones culture or heritage. My works are going to be published and sold as prints in the near future and I was wondering if that is okay or cultural appropriation? From my perspective, the issue isnt a lack of respect of cultures, he said. body chains cultural appropriation Its a far cry from having sash t-shirts or sash embroidered coats from Urban Outfitters . Great article! Ever since i got pushed onto the topic of cultural appropriation and kept reading about it, all it did was confuse, frustrate and enrage me, because, just as you said, it is a very heated and emotional one. Thank you for writing this article from a relatively objective viewpoint; so many Ive attack as much as they explain, which, as you and many have pointed out, result in a knee-jerk reaction from others. There are many other beautiful, unrestricted Japanese styles that you can access an integrate into your own personal style. The purchase of machine-made or factory-made waist beads for $1 is an example of cultural appropriation. I have heard everything from Texas to New York, yet almost none of them know what Qualla Boundary is or where it is located. In some cultures, they were even used as a form of currency. Do we understand the background of these jewellery items, and if so, should we ask ourselves if we are engaging in cultural appropriation? A quick study of royal court dress and portraiture from the courts of 18th-century doyenne Marie Antoinette reveals silks fashioned in Asiatic themes. Every group tries to re-invent the wheel and fight alone (and each other). These sashes are firstly not the super nice ones that takes a bazillions hours to make and their design hold no specific meaning. the women in western countries wear waist beads for personal benefits or as a fashion jewelry. Sorry for my lack of knowledge. The point is, they arent just pretty designs. Questionable fashion? My question . Lisa Wade of the website Sociological Images says, These cases romanticize Indian-ness, blur separate traditions (as well as the real and the fake), and some disregard Indian spirituality. On one side, social media has pointed out celebrities or people that are appropriating a culture, while on the other hand, attempting to be popular can have people attempting a new style. Some belly chains are referred to as pierced belly chains because they are attached to a navel piercing. Limits of Cultural Appropriation: Decolonization, Not Segregation Western tourists happily tromp through Buddhist temples with their shoes on, asking who they can pay to light some joss sticks while Richard Gere expounds on his fancy understanding of Tibet. Thank you! Well done! i would like to wear it but i do not want to discredit any culture or offend anyone . I think I may have recently been part of the misappropriation of the eagle feather. Neither do we seek white converts to our religion overtly or covertly. When someone who never was taught a story tells it, it breaks the chain and things get out of whack fast. I know it isnt about my feelings but I do appreciate the attempt to explain rather than criticize. So- thank you for providing this resource for the clueless like me. The same goes for fringe purses, vests and boots, not to mention mukluks, moccasins and Native American prints on clothing. While some people believe that wearing waist chains is a form of cultural appreciation, others argue that it is an act of cultural appropriation and should be done with respect and knowledge of the culture from which . People who put crucifixes in bottles of urine are not catholics, for example, and do not respect what the crucifix means to catholic people. As a non-Aboriginal person, I have worried about the appropriateness of buying Aboriginal artwork, jewelry, etc. Is that cultural appropriation or is it always okay to exploit culture if the culture is one you can make even a shaky claim to? However, this depends on several factors. "Sometimes it's out of ignorance or innocence. You should also fully understand the origin of waist beads and what they were used for originally. Being presented with a feather is a great honour. . And he told me to take the eagle feather, and carry it with me at the event, because an eagle feather is supposed to clear the air in front of you. Over the years, the meaning and symbolism associated with waist beads has evolved, leading to an ongoing debate about the appropriateness of wearing them outside of their traditional culture. The Sikh Coalition, named for the religious group that dons the cloth head wraps as part of a religious observance and whichadvocates for religious rights, had this to say on social media: The turban is not just an accessory to monetize; its a religious article of faith that millions of Sikhs view as sacred. It is also important to consider how the use of waist chains has changed over time and if they have been used in a respectful manner. To address this concern this article will look at the origin of waist beads and their meaning both in the cultural and Christian context. I understand that other natives might have different opinions). Fashion often highlights its admiration of culture through textiles first. What about wearing feathers? grassroots elite basketball ; why does ted lasso have a southern accent . ; As i got it i realized the motive on the back is a cat that is wearing something that looks very much like a war bonnet, is that considered offensive aswell or is it someone wearing the bonnet itself?
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