"Waist beads are made to fit the lifestyles of every woman, regardless of race, size, or shape," she explained. As recently as last year, Victoria's Secret has been called out for cultural appropriation - in this instance, many looks in the "Nomadic Adventures" show were inspired by traditional tribal and Native American garments including feathered headdresses and beaded body jewelry. Now she is also a writer for our website. As a African women I think that it okay for you to wear it but just dont change the name of it and things. Your willingness to engage in compassionate and respectful discussion with others can help encourage them to seek out more information themselves. copying another nations visual arts style and design and producing artefacts and materials that originate from that nation. Many successful food bloggers are white. Her portrayal clumps together Native American beliefs and traditions from several different Indigenous groups, reducing these cultural traditions to stereotypes and fantasy instead of acknowledging them as actual cultural practices that are still part of Native American culture today. (n.d.). The popularity of body chains can therefore be seen as the best way to appreciate a culture, as they are increasingly worn around the waist and can be constructed of hooped chains, threaded strings, or tiny beads. By. When Dolce & Gabbana faced backlash after posting . Waist beads are designed to be worn by women of all shapes, sizes, and races. You also seek to understand people of that culture, as well as the culture itself, more completely instead of contributing to stereotypes. So, with waist beads and body chains worn increasingly in the waist, whether made of threaded strings, hooped chains, or small beads, the popularity of body chains can be regarded as the best form of cultural appreciation. Would a person of that culture see my actions as respectful? Studies have shown that surf therapy can help with various health conditions. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. So, whether appreciated or appropriated culturally, the body chains and waist beads are an important part of culture today. Also, the more I read about waist beads, the less I want them. All the same, taking a little extra time to research and better understand a culture and its language, and communicate with people from that culture, could easily help prevent such mistakes. Body chains are just that - an accessory made of metal worn on your body. Youre not my bro. Also problematic was Chet Hanks response. Appropriation affects people from exploited, marginalized cultures. After researching, I learned about waist beads, and discovered they originate from West Africa and are worn as a sign of womanhood and fertility. Yoga and the roots of cultural appropriation. The world over, calls are being made for fashion designers to be mindful when borrowing from other cultures and to offer products that are respectful of their traditions. Updated on January 11, 2023. Meanwhile we wonder, why should white girls be able to take part in this culture (wearing hoop earrings just being one case of it) and be seen as cute/aesthetic/ethnic. In 1960 when the Mai-Kai, a tiki restaurant in Florida, sold 10,000 "Mystery Drinks" presented by half-dressed "Mystery Girls," the U.S. military was using the Pacific Islands to test . She is based in Northern Virginia and blogs at AlexaShrugged.com. Yep, didge therapy is a thing. wearing a bindi as a trend. Angelina Hurley does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. Do those count as appropriation? Brands can't afford to lose a market in the process, especially during a time when "business-as-usual" has been skewed. Taking time to learn more about specific cultures and keeping the questions above in mind can help you work toward anti-racism and greater sensitivity across the board. Lenard PT, et al. You can see that wearing waist beads today are very common and you might see it as a general thing but it actually originated in Africa. A sort of body jewellery worn around the waist is the belly chain. We must take into account the problem of cultural appropriation even though these accessories seem attractive and are a part of a current popular trend. But they should also take time to acknowledge its cultural roots. The idea that cultural appropriation is primarily a form of erasure - a kind of emotional violence in which people are rendered invisible - came along later. Being white and wearing a dashiki might be interpreted as problematic; wearing one with cornrows or dreadlocks in your hair almost certainly would be. First, apologize. But this is not always the case, especially with body jewelry traditionally referred to as any kind of adornment that was placed through and was attached to a specific body part. This directly borrows from the culture and supports that artisans who create the intricate waist beads. //]]>. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Some people may beg to differ from our point of view, but nothing shows cultural appreciation better than wearing such waist beads and body chains, among other kinds of body jewelry. Many Hindu gods, including Lord Krishna, wore waist chains. Belly chains are common among women in India. To fully understand its consequences, though, we need to make sure we have a working definition of culture itself. How Cultural Appropriation Became a Hot-button Issue for Fashion. She also uses the problematic white savior trope. Thanks for your input on this. I could rant about every design that features the Greek Key. Native American War Bonnet. Change your clothes, take the accessory off, scrub the phrase from your vocabulary. Adorning a woman's feet symbolizes an act of devotion by her family . When it comes it body chains and waist beads, however, the definition may not be the same, but like all kinds of body jewelry, some people think of the body chains as elements that represent cultural appropriation. And this is why. Her fields of interest include Asian languages and literature, Japanese translation, cooking, natural sciences, sex positivity, and mental health. Even if youre familiar with the term and know its something to avoid, you might have some lingering uncertainties as to where the line between appropriation and appreciation lies. Gandhi S, et al. Cuz. And make no mistake, hoops are the main focus here and the most bizarre because theyve been worn across continents across history. The ancient Greeks were one of the first peoples to wear hoop earrings around 2000 BC. Not everyone criticized this look. There have been some sort of misconception when it comes to the wearing of body chains by different . In introducing a bill making it illegal to sell fake Indigenous art, Katter has re-ignited attention to artistic appropriation and rip-offs. In recent days, especially with the obsession over body jewelry increasing or re-emerging, different groups or cultures embracing different kinds of body jewelry that represented a certain community or culture in the past is now considered a form of cultural appropriation by some people. The recipe, originally named Weeknight Ginger Chicken Pho Ga (Vietnamese Chicken Soup), presented a fusion version of pho that failed to acknowledge actual elements of pho, including key ingredients, the effort and time required to make it, or even the traditional presentation of the dish. TODAYS tradition of nose rings comes from Middle East's Culture BUT it can be found in all types of different cultures around the world with different meanings and can . If you're using a string, mark on the string where the two ends meet, then measure that . COMMENTS POLICY: We have no tolerance for messages of violence, racism, vulgarity, obscenity or other such discourteous behavior. Please donate what you can today! We have compiled a list of designers that frequently seem to feature appropriated culture in their collections. Rowlings History of Magic in North America stories have earned plenty of criticism for the way they present Native American culture. While being culturally appreciated by the rest of the world, the decision by the Western nations to now label the chain as belly beads or the beaded waist chains rather than the waist beads can be considered a form of cultural appropriation. Then there's the fact that Africa isn't one homogenous country and culture, it's a group of different countries with their own individual things, but cultural appropriation between those countries doesn't appear to be considered an issue. Ill give you this Greek white girls response below. So, when someone called out for appropriation counters by saying that people of color who wear Western clothing and hairstyles, speak English, or eat fast food are also appropriating, know that these statements are both grossly insensitive and completely inaccurate. Instead of a chain, a thread may occasionally be worn around the waist. Cultural appropriation takes place when members of a majority group adopt cultural elements of a minority group in an exploitative, disrespectful, or stereotypical way. Instead of a chain, a thread may occasionally be worn around the waist. Much of this critique focuses on her lack of recognition and respect for Mexican culture, the workers who actually produce the tequila but dont see much of the profit, and agave shortages in Mexico. Black hairstyles arent costumes or fancy looks, though. I'm white so my opinion isn't really important here but from what I've seen is that as long as you acknowledge where it came from/the history and not try to brand it as a "new trendy" thing it's fine? Originating from Arnhem Land, its use is widespread and, apart from busking white women and men commercialising and making careers out of playing this instrument, a more recent offensive practice is its inclusion in the New Age healing and health industry. 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. I do feel less guilty/concerned about wearing a chain, though. Appropriation generally exploits other cultures and reinforces stereotypes. Historically, deciding exactly what culture is hasn't been easy. Sis. Having children learn about elements of Indigenous culture and . Youre welcome. What is (the wrong of) cultural appropriation? 13 year olds? If your use of cultural items or practices exploits that culture in any way, you're appropriating whether you realize it or not. This year's Met Gala theme China: Through the Looking Glass was just begging for cultural appropriation, which led many starlets to play it safe with minimal references to China.Emma Roberts, however, earned herself Twitter backlash for wearing chopsticks in her hair.. Chopsticks in the hair is one of many broadly "Asian" styles tried on by Western dressers (for what it's worth . The short answer is no. Be prepared to do your own research. The first name Jacquelyn is French, so you cant call racism on anybody not familiar with your particular way of spelling it, and theres a pretty famous singer named Christina Aguilera whos made the whole world familiar with the spelling and pronunciation of your last name. I noticed your T-shirt had [X] design on it. Why Language Matters, 7 Ways of Honoring Other Cultures That Are Really Just Cultural Appropriation, Cultural Appropriation in Fiction: Here Are Some Tips to Consider When Your Writing Includes Different Cultures, nih.gov/institutes-nih/nih-office-director/office-communications-public-liaison/clear-communication/cultural-respect, stu.ca/lnap/henna-its-history-and-cultural-significance, tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/21565503.2019.1674160, journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1468796819866498, sites.austincc.edu/accent/cultural-appreciation-vs-cultural-appropriation-why-it-matters, herculture.org/blog/2016/5/3/henna-cultural-appreciation-or-cultural-appropriation, open.lib.umn.edu/sociology/chapter/3-2-the-elements-of-culture, pbs.org/whatihear/web-series/cultural-appropriation/, Theres a Big Difference Between Cultural Appreciation and Appropriation Heres Why It Matters, How to Be Human: Giving the Right Compliment to Someone About Their Body, 68 Terms That Describe Gender Identity and Expression. sports teams with offensive and inappropriate names. Sure, it can be annoying that nobody gets my name right, but its not evidence of the hatred of Greeks or a freaking micro-aggression! Appropriating First Nations tattoo designs, braided hair, overuse of spray tanning, collagen lips, red-black-and-yellow everything doesnt make you blend in. The yidaki (didjeridu) has got to be one of the most appropriated items of First Nations heritage and culture. Are body beads cultural appropriation? The significance of the chains comes from their representation of femininity, fertility, and sexuality. This isnt really an explanation to your question but sort of explaining some of the culture. In addition to this, astrology also has associations with the body chains featured as part of the Roman and Greek art associated with the planet/star Venus, and subsequently, the goddess of love. Some people may beg to differ from our point of view, but nothing shows cultural appreciation better than wearing such waist beads and body chains, among other kinds of body jewelry. but dont take my words entirely. Consequently, white people continue to benefit and hold positions of power. So, with waist beads and body chains worn increasingly in the waist, whether made of threaded strings, hooped chains, or small beads, the popularity of body chains can be regarded as the best form of cultural appreciation not appropriation. Appreciation, on the other hand, means you have an interest in all elements of the culture, not just specific aspects that look pretty, prove financially lucrative, or offer other benefits. [T]he art was created by myself and a few other WOC [women of color] after being tired and annoyed with the reoccuring [sic] theme of white women appropriating styles that belong to the black and brown folks who created the culture. Committing the Heinous Crime Of Cultural Appropriation! If you do use any elements from that culture, you ask permission and give credit to the creator or source. I'd still like a waist chain, though. The question is inspired by a spasm of social-media cruelty that caught wide attention last week. Yeah, there are some inconsistencies with the concept. A lot of people see African culture think that its pretty or cool and then just take it but I feel like its okay if you learn about it and give appreciation to it. Payals, or anklets, are meant to symbolize the arrival of a wife into her husband's house. The need to find/discover ones self via the culture and heritage of a different people is nonsensical to me. Bro. But this also is totally dependent on individuals. But to me, wearing of body chain is not cultural appropriation but rather appreciation. What do you think of these Latina students telling white girls to take off their hoop earrings? Cultural appropriation has always been an underlying issue in the fashion industry, with many top designers flippantly turning elements of culture into everyday fashion accessories. Apparently, paying to have someone blow a didjeridu over your body is reported to provide relief for a wide range of joint, muscular and skeletal-related pain as well as promote accelerated healing in various forms of bone trauma. Beads worn around the waist has appeared in several aspects ofAfrican culturesuch as dress, childcare, and relationships. Click the Button To See The Table of Contents. This misrepresentation leaves people of color in a marginalized position where they lack the same opportunities for recognition, success, and profit. Depending on the material that the body chains were made of, others wore the chains as a way of showing off their affluence. The only good option is to listen, learn, and change your behavior. Does my use amplify and support the voices of people of that culture, or does it prevent them from being heard? Crystal Raypole has previously worked as a writer and editor for GoodTherapy. Belly dance, as it is known and practiced in the West, has its roots in, and a long history of, white appropriation of . Healthline spoke with singer-songwriter Jewel about co-founding Innerverse, a new virtual reality platform in the Metaverse that provides services to, If youre considering meeting with a psychiatrist but prefer remote visits, online psychiatry may be right for you. Download. A didge player at Portobello Market in London. Learn more. The common English name for the Indian jewellery known as kamarband is a belly chain or waist chain.. Why do you care about this "Cultural appropriation"? To sum up: White culture cant be appropriated. It does appear that way. If its not your culture being appropriated, is it really your place to say anything? This notion fails to take into account that people of other cultures are often forced to assimilate, or adopt aspects of the dominant culture, to thrive, if not survive. ear to nose chains cultural appropriation. Check out our range of nose & septum rings, sleepers & studs. Native American war bonnets are among the most instantly recognizable artifacts of Native American culture, and for this reason, often the most appropriated items of Native American culture.. A war bonnet is a piece of headgear made using eagle feathers and beads and worn either during battle or on special ceremonial occasions . Some belly chains are referred to as pierced belly chains because they are attached to a navel piercing. There are tribal meanings and rituals involved. And why waste time talking to and interacting with other cultures in the intellectual environment of a university when you can lecture people about their privilege then tell them to Google things when challenged by skeptics or even engaged by sympathizers? Adele wore this hairstyle, along with a Jamaican flag bikini, to celebrate the canceled 2020 Notting Hill Carnival, an annual event originally created to share Caribbean culture and promote multiculturalism. Can I wear waist beads if I am not African? People who appropriate cultural elements dont recognize or honor the true meaning or purpose of those elements. As well as purchasing them from small Black+brown owned businesses and not some where like SHEIN. It is generally believed that the significance of this accessory had, at the time, changed to symbolize male authority and power rather than female sexuality. Appropriation also tends to involve some misuse of cultural elements. Remember that African people, like all other societies and cultures, are always happy to share parts of their culture and not really protective of it. There has been an upsurge in jewellery worn around the waist, frequently in the shape of hooped chains, threaded strings, or little chains. The Yoruba tribe of Nigeria is credited for popularising African waist bead chains. These changes fail to acknowledge the original cultures and render authentic recipes inauthentic. 6 Quick Tips For Wearing Cartier Love Bracelet All The Time, Why Is Italian Gold (Jewelry) More Expensive? window.__mirage2 = {petok:"CCkMe26MAqhaK5osLPUa94zSF3ec_FUs4n49L.Xf8b4-1800-0"}; The problem lies in the fact that white food bloggers continue to rebrand and fuse dishes from other cultures. Heres the first clue: If a person of color says your behavior is culturally appropriative, take that criticism at face value. People have been wearing body jewellery more frequently lately, especially now that limitations are beginning to loosen and we are free to flaunt our new ensembles in pubs, restaurants, and clubs. I'll give you this Greek "white girl's" response below. The chart below offers some examples to help illustrate the difference. This for some people are seen as good thing as the world is turning greatly into a global community why others might see it as cultural appropriation especially the wearing of body chains or beads. Notably in Ghanaian and Nigerian culture, thesewaist beadshave functioned as slings forloincloths, and as support when a child is carried on ones back. At the end of the day, the waist beads make the most stunning kind of jewelry, and in addition to there being no laws that stop you from wearing them, they look great on pretty much everyone! Jacquelyn Aguilera (PZ 19), another student claiming credit for the spray-painted message, responded to the school-wide email thread, If you didnt create the culture as a coping mechanism for marginalization, take off those hoops, if your feminism isnt intersectional take off those hoops, if you try to wear mi cultura when the creators can no longer afford it, take off those hoops, if you are incapable of using a search engine and expect other people to educate you, take off those hoops . When the Renegade went viral, Harmon remained uncredited. Seriously stop trying to use and steal colloquial Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language. In an article on cultural appropriation, visual culture scholar Rina Arya writes: Integral to the definition of cultural appropriation is an asymmetry of power between two cultures that involves . Kim Kardashian West has been accused of cultural appropriation after launching a brand of figure-hugging underwear called 'Kimono.' fashion Kim Kardashian Kimono lingerie line sparks Japanese anger Adding to the burden by leaving it to members of that culture to call out the appropriation and explain why its wrong only makes matters worse. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. But when you wear another group's cultural signifiers head to toe, it can create the impression that you see them as a costume. So, yes, you can wear the white waist beads if its a jewelry style that you like. These chains were not only worn as ornaments but also as important elements in religious ceremonies. It's pretty hypocritical and not fully thought out. Just as proximity cant identify you, the overindulgence in First Nations colour and adornment wont bring you any closer to being donned with a traditional name, or get you acceptance into a nation/clan. Wondering exactly what counts as cultural appropriation? Does cultural appropriation cause harm? If others happened to witness the appropriation maybe they saw your outfit or read your social media post consider touching base with them on what youve learned. In other words, people who appropriate generally pick and choose only the elements they consider appealing and ignore the rest, along with any important cultural context behind those elements. The body chains, especially the belly or waist chains, can be traced to at least 4000 years ago, and all evidence point to this type of jewelry originating from India, or rather, the Indian Subcontinent. While the early days of trade opened the door to cultural exchange, it simultaneously made way for cultural appropriation. Since waist chains have been worn for a long time and are a West African and Indian tradition, this has drawn controversy. Stephanie is a jewelry lover when she was a teenager. Read more topics here or here ! How theyre seen is in the eye of the beholder, maybe some dont look cute or ethnic I dont think aesthetic is used properly here. Today, up to 85% of art sold through tourism markets as First Nations souvenirs is fake and imported. Cultural appropriation can happen in different areas in society, including the way people view . Oh, and that slogan you leftists love to chant at protests? In Arabic, this kind of dance is called Raqs Sharqi, or Eastern dance. Some will say Black Americans shouldn't wear/do things from Africa, others will say it's fine. Is it okay for a white person to celebrate the culture of a nonwhite country? (2017). Theres nothing at all wrong with wanting to prepare or enjoy food from another culture. I just wanted to let you know people from that culture might find it offensive and hurtful.. While wearing jewellery is ultimately a matter of personal preference, knowing the background of the pieces origins might give us a better perspective of whether we should or shouldnt do so. Copyright 20102023, The Conversation Media Group Ltd. A didjeridu is applied to someones head in Vancouver, Canada. Yes, white people can wear the waist beads, and there is really no rule that is against white people or anyone else wearing the waist beads. And black and brown bodies? Why not call them people? Mehndi ceremonies also make up an important part of wedding traditions in the Middle East and South Asia. The Shoshone-Bannock and Luiseo artist, who is based on the La Jolla Indian Reservation, began experimenting with art and fashion design when she was only 18, and launched her fashion brand in . How dehumanizing! but my friends who are black make waistbeads say it is ok for someone who is not a poc to wear waistbeads. The need to find/discover one's self via the culture and heritage of a different people is nonsensical to me. | Oxford Dictionary, which only put the phrase into its official lexicon in 2017, defines cultural appropriation as "the unacknowledged or inappropriate adoption of the customs, practices, ideas, etc. It became popular on the app TikTok in 2020 but that isnt where it started. And as per historical records, the waist chains were used and largely worn in India by men and women. Follow her on Twitter @AlexaShrugged. Wearing body chains, especially the waist beads, isnt a form of cultural appropriation but rather cultural appreciation. Do we understand the background of these jewellery items, and if so, should we ask ourselves if we are engaging in cultural appropriation? Understanding the significance of the chains and purchasing them from Indian and African-owned businesses is cultural appreciation.