My Take as an African. Are plaits and braids the same thing? By now, you've probably heard of the term "cultural appropriation," which is basically adoption an aspect of another culture and using it inappropriately or disrespectfully. I wouldnt get a Chinese character on my arm unless I could read and speak a little first. Historically, Irish brides often wore their hair in braids with ribbon and lace woven through the braids. 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. 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. The braids themselves are made from three strands of hair, twisted and folded over each other to create a plait. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2023 Lora O'Brien Irish Author & Guide. If the answer is no, then maybe you should rethink your choices. 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. 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. Besidesblack culturewhite culturewhat about American culture? These spaces can be filled in with other hair extensions, such as beads or feathers. This is a responsible, sober, accurate assessment. I live in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory. Cultural appropriation at music festivals like Coachella can be seen in decorative bindis, headdresses, henna, and other accessories deemed . Women and men of all ages are getting their hair braided on a day-to-day basis. I had no idea people got so up in arms about something which, for white folks is really a fashion statement. White women should steer clear of protective hairstyles because they are not designed for our hair texture. Braiding started in Africa with the Himba people of Namibia, says Pace. 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. Braids and Cultural Appropriation The dark history of oppression and theft of black people reflects why a style of braids called cornrows are a topic of great cultural sensitivity. Here's why celebrities like him seem uncancelable. Cultural appropriation is when someone from one culture adopts elements of another culture without understanding or respecting the original meaning. "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. What culture invented braids? The oldest record of a plait comes from a braided statue known in academia as the Venus of Willendorf, thought to have been made between 25,000 and 30,000 BC. Cultural Appropriation Unmasked: "Fairy Locks" and the Truth of Celtic Is celtic a closed practice and would this be cultural appropriation? what would you say if someone said black people shouldnt wear something associated mainly with white people? This can lead people to think that they are more African than those who actually are from Africa. Just talking about for example white people in general when actually referring to white Americans is a bit ethnocentrist, dont you think. Rihanna Accused of Cultural Braids Appropriation at - Insider There are four main types of cultural appropriation: 4 Exchange: This form is defined as a reciprocal exchange between two cultures that are approximately equal in terms of power and dominance. While to some people they seem like just a hairstyle, others feel that it is part of their culture and tradition and that having hair braided in a particular style without belonging to a certain culture is an example of cultural appropriation. If I want sticky thick dreaded hair then why not. Are braids Viking culture? It was considered disgraceful to cut short one's hair or beard. 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. Yes, braids have been a part of Mexican culture since the time when the Mayans and Aztecs ruled. We Celts, working with the Saxons and the Franks, brought our modern culture to the rest of the world with fire and sword. lora o'brien describes irish paganism as being a "semi closed" or "semi open" practice. 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. LEARN ABOUT BYRDIE'S EDITORIAL GUIDELINES, Nunzio Saviano is a professional hair stylist and the owner of. Who Invented the Hairbrush? "A braid was a sign of unsophistication, a downgrade of [a Black woman's] image," Tharps says. "We have your back on this one all the way!!! Everything Jeffree Star didn't address in his 10-minute 'apology' video, How Shane Dawson went from 'King of YouTube' to the biggest fall from grace the platform has ever seen. Knotless braids were also popularized by celebrities like Alicia Keys and Michelle Obama, who wore them during their time in office. "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.". Ghana braids originated in Africa and were first seen in hieroglyphics and sculptures made in 500 B.C. The head represented the essence of one's soul. Theyve become a style staple and are often worn by both men and women alike. This is why white people think nothing of getting Chinese or Japanese character tattoos. theyre not the same, thanks sis!! They can be worn as part of a formal or casual outfit and can be used to spice up any hairstyle. Its natures way of telling us not to get those styles. If you went and learned all their techniques and then opened your own shop claiming it was your own, THAT would be cultural appropriation. The braids were particularly popular among women who lived on plantations in the Caribbean. If youre white and still need convincing that such styles are not for you, keep reading for a history lesson and some race-appropriate hairstyle recommendations. He said this is a huge problem within the music and entertainment industries. Anyone can practice it. I think its okay for anyone to adapt any cultural thing to themselves. Again, theres no such thing as pure bloodlines , whatever that is supposed to mean, in the vast majority of cultures and countries. Your email address will not be published. What braids are considered cultural appropriation? This tradition of bonding was carried on for generations and quickly made its way across the world. They were used to holding their hair back and keeping it from getting in their eyes. - Druid Reborn. Celtic Appropriation/Closed Practice? : r/pagan - reddit Saviano echoes the same statement regarding todays braided styles. 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. As you so rightly point out, much of NeoPaganism is this way a pick n mix of whatever the traditions creators, or individual practitioners, need or want, taken from various indigenous cultures and traditions (and often horrifically mangled and commercially repackaged to appeal to the lowest common denominator, in the process). I suspect that the flack youre receiving is from those who are understandably tired of this trend. "Cultural appropriation arises when people, anyone, takes aspects of another culture specifically to mock or disrespect them," he said. Did braids originate from Vikings? Respect Our Roots: A Brief History Of Our Braids - Essence 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]. Cultural Appropriation would be using the clothes and hairstyles of different cultures, then claiming that your culture invented them. 5.1K Likes, 520 Comments. TikTok video from Rosa_Dont_Trip (@rosa.dont.trip): "#stitch with @romaarmyyy #greenscreen #fyp #fyp #viral #braiding #culture". Ora had grown up with Black culture, so it made sense it would become part of her style. They are based on cultural history but one that is acceptable for white people to adopt. It is uncertain whether Vikings wore braided hair, but it seems likely. Theres got to be a level of self-awareness and humility involved. What Is Cultural Appropriation? - Verywell Mind Bayo Adelaja, a diversity and inclusion expert, is the leader of Do it Now Now, an organization "committed to bringing social empowerment to Black communities across the globe." 117 Likes, TikTok video from DeityFreeHappenings (@deityfreedee): "Part if the Celtic culture #hair_styles #culture #celts #braids #peoples_reactions #heritage #ancestry". 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. Here is the best way to find your celtic braids cultural appropriation information. TikTok video from Luciloo (@theamazon__). They do it for fashion reasons, only its ok because theyre black. My biggest question about Irish paganism has to do with ancestry and cultural appropriation. Women are taking on a fresh approach to coolness.". celtic braiding sonido original - . This is about walking and working in Right Relationship, wherever possible, and always endeavouring to give more than you take to support and contribute. The Difference Between Cultural Appropriation and Appreciation - Insider The history of braids in Africa starts with the Himba and Zulu tribes. cultural appropriation is adopting certain cultural elements and make it your own, or display it in an exploitative, disrespectful or stereotypical way. the celtic peoples arent even necessarily genetically related to each other; the qualifier for a celtic culture is determined based on if they speak a branch of the celtic language family. Which Hairstyles Are Cultural Appropriation? Here's - Femestella In todays culture, braids are adorned, worn, and praised in many different ways. While many of us here take an interest and do our best to reconstruct it, the investigation and piecing together of ancient Celtic cultures is a scholarly task and one which remains incomplete. Braids are among the oldest of all human hairstyles, they have been around for centuries. You have touched on the key element though, the deal breaker for me, which is awareness of cultural appropriation. it is 100% possible to cause harm by culturally appropriating celtic culture. Log in to follow creators, like videos, and view comments. These hair extensions can be colored, straightened, and curled at the end of the process, so it is possible to get a wide range of looks depending on what you want. Braiding started in Africa with the Himba people of Namibia, who use hair extensions as part of their culture. Not to mention they are gorgeous and can be dressed up or down based on the occasion. The most relevant celtic braids cultural appropriation pages are listed below: Are braids a part of Celtic culture? Did the Celts wear dreadlocks? Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. Rather than an angry "mob," Caribbean people flooded the comments telling her to ignore the backlash because what she was really doing was appreciating Jamaican culture, not appropriating it. Viking warriors usually wore long braids or dreadlocks to make them more intimidating to their enemies in battle or perhaps, more simply, for the practical purpose or keeping their hair out of their eyes while fighting! Who out there could close it? No, but really: The history of braids dates back to 3500 BC. 10.5K Likes, 372 Comments. Cultural appropriation: What is it and what does it mean? Dutch braids are a hairstyle that originated in South Africa, but theyre now popular all over the world. African culture Braiding started in Africa with the Himba people of Namibia, says Pace. If youre talking about white/black culture in some spesific place, please specify where. And one of the most vivid forms of beauty exploitation happens at music festivals . When I said braids I obviously didn't mean like Celtic braids or you know French braids. My own brother, and his Scottish partner, and their son, are living in Perth, Australia. Cornrows or tight braids close to the scalp are not just a traditional North African hairstyle. In many cases, it seems that it's not so much about someone's race, but rather their intent and the language they use to discuss their style. The most relevant celtic braids cultural appropriation pages are listed below: Are braids a part of Celtic culture? The fad of celtic culture has overwhelmed much of traditional, actual gaelic practice, just as the current Viking Craze is doing to Norse Heathenism. Braids have been worn by people from all walks of life for centuries. might start recreating some. If youre still interested in this topic, I have plenty of other interesting information about braids, so feel free to leave a comment and Ill respond quickly. There are many different ways to style Viking braids, so anyone can find a style that suits them. i have been thinking that the celts used to be everywhere in britain; there are surely many of us who can validly claim celtic influence of some kind at some point within our past. 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. 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. The first documented traces of them are in ancient Mayan culture when they were used as an adornment. A space to share and talk about theistic paganism. The style was popularized by the Yoruba people, who used it to adorn and decorate their heads.