celtic braids cultural appropriation celtic braids cultural appropriation

Cornrows or tight braids close to the scalp are not just a traditional North African hairstyle. I'm just really worried that I'm doing something bad and don't know. What do you think of people of mixed ancestry (and in my case, its mixed English, Scottish and Irish but as Ive looked back into my family history where I can find the info, it is more English than either Scottish or Irish), pursuing an Irish pagan path? I am also a person who wants to connect authentically with my own ancestry as a way of working to heal some of the trauma and sickness of generations of being colonial oppressors on this continent, and Im seeking a spiritual practice that isnt yet another act of appropriation on my part. Everybody also has mixed ancestry! Its safe to say the style has maintained a historical legacy thats here to stay. The braids that were found are not the same kind of braids we have today, but they were used by many different tribes throughout Africa. The braiding technique is simple and very similar to the way people braid hair on their heads. Celtic braids were popular among Celtic warriors. lora o'brien describes irish paganism as being a "semi closed" or "semi open" practice. Since they stem from a culture not rooted in oppression based on race, its not disrespectful for white women to wear them. I understand that in Northern American context this is a bit different, since there has been a history of black slavery, and black resistance. 'Out Of Many One People' is our nation's motto and we live it! Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. If you don't have the time to learn, it's likely that said 'appreciation' will probably not be appreciated.". Box braids are generally done using synthetic or human hair. Historically, Irish brides often wore their hair in braids with ribbon and lace woven through the braids. LEARN ABOUT BYRDIE'S EDITORIAL GUIDELINES, Nunzio Saviano is a professional hair stylist and the owner of. This also helped them keep their cultural traditions alive while they were being held as slaves in America. TikTok video from Luciloo (@theamazon__). The style began to spread across Europe during this time. at the same time it would be seen as forward progress for a black person to want to assimilate to a white culture, If you werent ignorant, youd know that black people tried to assimiliate into white culture, but was constantly denied to do so because we were brought here for one thing only: to be your property (and your entertainment-musically, sexually, etc.) Where Did Eggnog Originate and Who Invented it? I would ignore whoever told you that. The only difference is that its easier to see the damage because Caucasian hair is so light and thin. Cultural "Appropriation" is, in fact, cultural appreciation. Natalie Rita, the managing director of PR company NRPR, works with many POC influencers on a daily basis. Braids are much more than a hairstyle. Bantu knots, Fulani braids, and cornrows are just some of the African hairstyles that have been around for centuries. it is 100% possible to cause harm by culturally appropriating celtic culture. Crochet braids can also be made with more than one color of hair extension and also with hair extensions that change colors as theyre braided into place. It is in our oldest stories, our teaching tales. Period. Locks are more than a style statement. "They are doing it to stand out from the crowd in their own context of life," she said. It runs rampant in paganism. 363.2K Likes, 11.7K Comments. First off, thank you for your thoughtful question. According to Sims, cornrows with beads were very popular in the 1970s, and box braids gained popularity in the 1990s. Celtic is an umbrella term for a lot of different cultures like the Irish or the Welsh. However, those of us who follow traditional gaelic paganchd/t are really tired of new age religions, wicca, pan-pagan approaches, etc., who like to borrow gaelic art, stories, lore, designs etc., as window dressing for their non-gaelic shit. African culture They are more than a style they are history. 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. Ora had grown up with Black culture, so it made sense it would become part of her style. 479 Likes, 49 Comments. First, it smacks of trying to run away from who you are. Box braids transformed in the modern worlds sense of community, Sims continues. "What seems to draw the ire of cultural appropriation activists are the less respectful instances where someone will use an item from another culture to ridicule or patronize the other group.". Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. Before Africans were subjected to slavery, the braided hairstyle was a huge indicator of their identity. Press J to jump to the feed. Younger children would start practicing on each other and eventually learn the traditional styles. You can feel her heart has always been in the right place," he said. I live in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory. the same people here who deny cultural appropriation would protest about Algeria appropriating Moroccan Kaftan. channel, but when Kendall Jenner wears Locks on a runway, the style is chic and fashion-forward.". A history that I will never be able to grasp fully. He talked to Metro in 2019 about growing up around mostly white middle-class people in Notting Hill, and how he struggled to connect to his identity of having a heritage that's half Welsh, a quarter Jamaican, one-eighth Irish, and one-eighth Portuguese. theres no single "celtic" culture. Ignore them, it's not closed by anyone sensible. Almost all women, children, and most men in some way had their hair braided.. I know it came in a while ago, and you found my video on YouTube since then and have considered it answered [Irish Paganism Cultural Appropriation vs Cultural Appreciation https://youtu.be/8oC3dUqEXaY]. Dutch braids are named after the immigrants who brought them to the Netherlands in the 1800s. Theres an interesting discussion in the comments about what counts as Western importation: David thinks the list of Western imports would be short, though I think Im with Nick. However, African tribes have been braiding for centuries. Its the way African people identify themselves. The looped pattern goes on infinitely, which is thought to symbolise the eternity of life. How do i honourably develop a relationship with Irish or Scottish paganism when I know that many of my ancestors were part of a violent system that literally stole land and resources from other of my ancestors, and even worked to eradicate the exact spiritual practices that I now seek to learn? "The origin of braids can be traced back 5000 years in African culture to 3500 BCthey were very popular among women." Braids are not just a style; this craft is a form of art. Most of them do have a spiritual or hereditary reason, but seriously do you think Little John or T-Pain do it for a spiritual reasons? These people have been braiding their hair for centuries. For the most part, everybody also has ancestors who worked to eradicate native spiritual practices in some way. Box braids are predominantly popular among South African people, who are credited as the people who invented box braids. You think that rastafarians were the first people to wear dreadlocks? The Egyptian long tribal braids were first worn by Nubian women in ancient Egypt. Are Braids Cultural Appropriation? One of the most common forms of appropriation is white people wearing dreadlocks, Bantu knots and cornrows , all of which are protective hairstyles often worn by . Viking braids were popular among Viking warriors, who would often wear their hair in a particular style to promote their strength and prowess. However, a person who has been braiding their hair for a long time and has some knowledge about the origins of braids can do so without committing cultural appropriation. Yes, if a white person wears box braids, then they are likely to be accused of cultural appropriation. TikTok video from Jeaux (@jeaux_king): "Reply to @soapstroke thanks sis!! I dont have that, I want that, so I am entitled to take that and do what I want with it. Braiding started in Africa with the Himba people of Namibia, says Pace. In Europe, braids are often associated with German cultureand for good reason! .css-ze5eiw-SpanViews{-webkit-flex-shrink:0;-ms-flex-negative:0;flex-shrink:0;padding-right:12px;color:rgba(22, 24, 35, .75);}13.3K views|.css-15ooo5t-H4Link{font-family:ProximaNova,Arial,Tahoma,PingFangSC,sans-serif;font-weight:400;font-size:14px;line-height:20px;display:inline;color:rgba(22, 24, 35, .75);margin-left:12px;}.css-15ooo5t-H4Link a{color:rgba(22, 24, 35, .75);}, Luciloo (@theamazon__)s videos with A work of art by s_johnson_voiceovers - Stefan Johnson | TikTok. Another thing that was brought up was that it would be appropriation to take some ideas from celtic festivals for a story I'm writing to be included in a fictional religion. All of us coming home together to the heartbeat of the drums and this Mother Earth. this is a very interesting issue and i am not always sure where the boundaries lie, lora explains the issue very clearly and provides a different way of thinking about it, which i think is very helpful. EloquentlyEse 1.46K subscribers Subscribe 3.7K views 10 months ago The first video I'm making on. I suspect that the flack youre receiving is from those who are understandably tired of this trend. so weve decided to further adopt our own. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider Anyone who tells you that Celtic is a closed practice is ego tripping. In the United States, we have seen the evolution of braids from a purely functional form of hair care to one that is also symbolic of an individuals identity. Natalie J Monty and her sister run an Instagram haircare page for Black and multiracial women and girls called @got.coils. 759 Likes, 126 Comments. Discover short videos related to celtic braid cultural appropriation on TikTok. crucially, whether we give something back rather than simply taking. Or even black people for that matter? The Vikings' neighbours, the Celts had their own version of dreadlocks which they called elflocks, so the Vikings may well have shared this name, although there's no written record of what the Vikings would have called dreadlocks. | However some warriors would cake their *braids in mud and when the Romans discovered this they described those braids in a similar manner to dreadlocks as we know then today. one commenter wrote. Lora O'Brien answered an Irish Pagan School Student Question about Irish Ancestry and Cultural Appropriation, in relation to Irish or Celtic Pagan Practice. lora o'brien's opinion is not the only opinion; others will take the perspective that as long as you're being genuinely respectful of the culture you're basing your practice off, learning from reliable sources, & not turning around and profiting off of a distortion of their culture, you're fine. [Who, Why & the History], Who Invented Fire Hydrant? At the end of our lunch discussion, I was convinced that its not ALWAYS wrong for white people to wear dreadlocks. No Celtic is not a closed practice. In the midst of Coachella, one of the biggest music festivals in the world, we fawn over the drop-dead . The name crochet comes from the fact that the braids are made up of short, tight braids with spaces between them. i think a larger issue at play here is that it would be seen as a step back for a white person to want to assimilate into a black culture. Michelle Regalado is a seasoned editor, fact-checker, and content strategist with expertise in women's lifestyle news. Dutch braids are a hairstyle that originated in South Africa, but theyre now popular all over the world. Because of the time it takes to braid hair, people have often taken time to socialize while braiding and having their hair braided. Celebrities of color face an onslaught of conspiracy theories and misinformation. Icons like supermodel Fara Fawcett were the blueprint for this style. The appropriation vs. appreciation debate has been going on for years, but it is particularly prevalent right now amid the growing Black Lives Matter movement. What culture wore braids first? Braids were invented by the Himba people of Namibia in 3500 BC. Did the Celts wear braids? Im all for cross-cultural appreciation, but there are ways to enjoy and appreciate other cultures without losing your own authenticity. "You are a product of Multicultural Britain, so it's not cultural appropriation. And one of the most vivid forms of beauty exploitation happens at music festivals . I was talking with a few people about learning about celtic culture, and at first I was told to research more (totally understandable) but was later told its a closed practice. The history of braids dates back to 3500 BC. "Black culture has been used, abused, and rehashed for a white marketplace way before Adele's hair, Elvis's hip-shaking, and Eminem's lyrical flow.". Below you can find a more detailed explanation about what are different types of braids. Theyre still worn today by stars like Kim Kardashian West, Beyonc Knowles Carter, and Amandla Stenberg. "Braiding started in Africa with the Himba people of Namibia," says Pace. The name for the hairstyle comes from the word braid, which means to plait. | A work of art by s_johnson_voiceovers - Stefan Johnson. None of that is cultural appropriation, frankly. On the other hand, if you learn, explore, and understand a . I can't find anything online about it being closed, but I also don't want to push their claim out of the way and practice a closed religion. One of the most common forms of appropriation is white people wearing dreadlocks, Bantu knots and cornrows , all of which are protective hairstyles often worn by Black women. Published: May 18, 2017 10.54am EDT Want to write? To get the best look, youll want to make sure your Dutch braid is over the ear. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. What ethnicity started braids? She told Insider appropriation happens if you show love and appreciation for parts of a culture, such as clothing, hairstyles, or accessories, but remain prejudiced against its people. Did braids originate from Vikings? One large and long braid was worn by girls in active search for a groom, while two braids which were tied around the head meant the girl was in marriage. (Even the Greeks and Romans no slouches in the style department were intrigued.) Women are approaching the braiding style in different ways. When it comes to Celtic paganism, you should make the effort to study and understand the cultures that the practices, ancient and modern, come from. What braids are considered cultural appropriation? A space to share and talk about theistic paganism. this is a nuanced topic & its not as simple as "its impossible to culturally appropriate european cultures & the celtic cultures are european cultures therefore they cannot be appropriated" or a black-and-white binary of "open practice" vs "closed practice". There are TONS of things that weve imported from other cultures. The Himbas neighbors, the Herero people, also had a tradition of braiding hair that dates back to about 500 BC. Braids have been a part of European culture for centuries, but they developed as colonialism spread across Africa. By taking these styles and not giving credit to the originator, they are literally erasing black hair culture. The origin of braids can be traced back 5000 years in African culture to 3500 BCthey were very popular among women. Braids are not just a style; this craft is a form of art. The most relevant celtic braids cultural appropriation pages are listed below: Are braids a part of Celtic culture? Wearing braids protect natural hair from heat damage and humidity., A Look at Festival Beauty's Long-Standing Cultural Appropriation Problem, Bonnets are Both Stylish and FunctionalHere's the Backstory, 24 Bantu Knot Hairstyles That Are Seriously Inspiring, These Classic Crochet Braid Patterns Are True Artistry, 35 Stunning Braids Inspired by Beyonc's Iconic Lemonade Album, The History Of Wigs Is Rooted In Culture, Expression, and Identity, 22 Y2K Hairstyle Ideas to Satisfy Your Spiky Hair and Butterfly Clip Cravings, A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Bantu Knots, From 3200 B.C. i really recommend the cr faq (http://www.paganachd.com/faq) as a good starting point for understanding this topic from the perspective of celtic reconstructionists. I have celtic heritage, I invite you to study, make use of and practice it. If you search on my blog, you will find my feelings on the matter, which at times rant and at others, have some basis in reality. Braid patterns and hairstyles were an indication of a persons tribe, age, marital status, wealth, power, and religion. When I said braids I obviously didn't mean like Celtic braids or you know French braids. He said this is a huge problem within the music and entertainment industries. Theres got to be a level of self-awareness and humility involved. From classic cornrows and simple three-strand braids to Dutch braids and more, this symbolic style has been a sign of societal status, ethnicity, religion, and more. "An understanding of the historical context of certain aspects of black culture will swiftly help brands and others from making these mistakes," she said. I live in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory. If you went and learned all their techniques and then opened your own shop claiming it was your own, THAT would be cultural appropriation. Im from Northern/Eastern Europe, and I just few days ago heard that some people consider white people with dreadlocks practising cultural appropriation. However, I hope that when speaking of white people, or black people, it would be considered that they are not homogenous groups with the same kind of backround. Have you ever wondered who invented French braids? Because both cultures are influenced by each other and compose American culture. Are braids part of European culture? However,wearing Dutch braids is usually not considered cultural appropriation. That was pre-celt), how many assume celts celebrated the solstices and equinoxes (nope, the lore only points to the four cross-quarter days), how many people use a Celtic Astrology (no such thing), how many people assume Cernunnos is Irish (nope, he's continental) etc. Braid hairs history traces back to Africa and was brought to Europe by colonial explorers. As detailed in this blog post I think anyone who wants to, with any ancestry, can pursue and practice an Irish Pagan Path. "You can appreciate the music, the lifestyle, the love of the people but appropriating is where you take the influences you see and completely copy them for your own gain.". Slaves used braids to identify themselves so that if they were separated from their families or communities they could still recognize each other. They are an ethnic group of Southern Africa who are known for their long, thick hair. many aspects of the celtic cultures are endangered, often because of colonialism. Cultural appropriation is when cultural elements of a minority culture are borrowed or stolen by members of a dominant culture and taken out of context. Dominance: This type involves a dominant culture taking elements of a subordinate culture that has had a dominant culture forced upon it. The braids could be dyed in different colors, which would indicate the social status of the wearer. African-American women wanted to look citified. You don't have to erase other cultures from your wardrobe altogether, but maybe question how they got there in the first place. "When Zendaya wore Locks on the red carpet, she was denigrated by a style guru on the E! as lora rightly says none of us is really pure. This method of braiding was invented by African people in the 16th century, who used it to make their hair look fuller and thicker. It was around the 1900s when braids became most popular around the world. You've got Brittany in France; Cornwall in England; Wales; Scotland; Ireland and the Isle of Mann and that's just the most obvious locations. For the working class, braids had a simple function: to keep their hair out of the way while they worked. It gives off fun, playful energy and is perfect for the texture of white womens hair. to Today: The Fascinating History of Nail Polish, Curly Hair for Men: The Ultimate Guide, Straight From Grooming Experts, 6 Ways Serena Williams Changed Tennis Fashion Forever, This Nail Polish Brand Is Diversifying the Nail Care Industry for People of Color, Get to Know 6 Gen Z Designers Pushing Fashion Forward, 13 African Beauty Brands We Can't Stop Using. But the actual ancient culture in which the pre-Christian religions existed is lost to history. He told Insider Mongeau doesn't address accusations of racism in her past, but then profits off Black culture by making rap and hip hop music. However, those of us who follow traditional gaelic paganchd/t are really tired of new age religions, wicca, pan-pagan approaches, etc., who like to borrow gaelic art, stories, lore, designs etc., as window dressing for their non-gaelic shit. "[It] reminded people that despite profiting off of Black culture for all of her career, she doesn't care about it at all," she said. There was a debate over lunch in the Berkman Center kitchen today over whether white people (or Asian people, for that matter) should wear dreadlocks. In particular, there is evidence of early cultures that practiced a form of hair braiding in the Scandinavian region, but whether those traditions survived to the Viking Age is unknown. . White women should steer clear of protective hairstyles because they are not designed for our hair texture. What ethnicity wore braids first? Saurav Dutt, the author of "The Butterfly Room," which explores racism and interracial relationships within Indian society, told Insider that enjoying something and being fascinated by it doesn't mean you are appropriating it. The Vikings' neighbours, the Celts had their own version of dreadlocks which they called elflocks, so the Vikings may well have shared this name, although there's no written record of what the Vikings would have called dreadlocks. Since then, the style has played a large role in Ghanaian cultural, social, and religious traditions. I highly support your stance. She's also seen European women think they are being innovative for wearing wigs to grow out their hair, or silk wraps to protect it at night. You can date the use of Celtic Knots all the way back as far as the 8th century, used in artwork and decoration. Is hair sacred in Celtic culture? He drew on that background when writing about Middle Earth. My name is Chelsea, I was born in Canada to an American mother and a Canadian father. This is why white people think nothing of getting Chinese or Japanese character tattoos.