"These teachings teach people how to respect each other and Mother Earth. Among the Anishinaabe, a new dance style emerged for women ziibaaska`iganagooday, the jingle dress. The drum leader introduced the drum, talking about how it came to her and naming the man who made it. Although the powwow may be labeled as contemporary, it isnt new. I don't think it is a good idea to get a bunch of people to portray a drum circle ceremony from another culture as part of a work place competition. Do those count as appropriation? The performances [were] meant to dramatize some event, happening, story, or even dream.. The end result? As a white woman, Adele can style her hair in any number of ways without facing judgment or criticism. It doesnt take much effort to find cultural appropriation in popular culture and on social media. Such laws would have limited application since they could only be applied within the tribal domain; but they would give a tribe the power to issue resolutions that strongly condemn specific acts of appropriation. I chose to share the knowledge I acquired to do exactly that.". Yet I am well aware that people of color dont get time off from dealing with racism. Your email address will not be published. Case in point: Many fans came to her defense, calling her hairstyle a sign of cultural appreciation. I have studied music and traditions with many teachers, many of them African, and have been encouraged to teach and pass on cultural gifts by them, in the hope that unity and healing can occur,which it certainly does. It is a priority for CBC to create products that are accessible to all in Canada including people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive challenges. James. Is this for real? He said they claimed to be shamans or medicine people practising different Indigenous ceremonies, and he said this still goes on today. You can also make needed recipe modifications with an underlying understanding of the cultural context of the dish while still giving credit to that culture. Still, shaming someone or criticizing them publicly usually doesnt have the best impact, so try calling them in instead of calling them out. 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. Delve beyond the surface of this city to discover its rich culture and artistically inspiring soul. The Scalp Dance was part of the dance complex generally referred to as Nandobaniishimowin, or the War Dance. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Appropriation affects people from exploited, marginalized cultures. As a young boy, I attended the annual powwows held at Red Lake. 224-49. Lenard PT, et al. Several articles have been written regarding the Koshare dancers and their violation of cultural property that is central to the tribal ceremonial practices of the Tewa. And in the farthest circle is cultural production, or the . Two non-Indigenous new age healers in Ontario are being called out by a Black-Indigenous woman for appropriating ceremonies in their practices. Appropriation is already a microaggression against people of color. Last medically reviewed on August 24, 2021. Henna: Its history and cultural significance. Henna: Cultural appreciation or cultural appropriation? A nice summary is found here: The concept of cultural appropriation emerged in academia in the late 1970s and 1980s as part of the scholarly critique of colonialism. I loved going out dancing in my street clothes, sitting on the wood benches around the arbor, listening to the old men at their drums, and looking at all the beautiful dancers in their colorful regalia. Just know that true sharing requires permission, acknowledgment, and respect. Cultural appropriation is an idea that comes from sociology and is when a dominant culture takes items from a minority culture and incorporates them. Lalonde D. (2019). Patrick Victor Naranjo writes: Cultural properties and the traditional knowledge associated with these indigenous identities are not relevant to the dominant perception of American Indians, as represented by the Cleveland Indian mascot and Koshare dance performance. The result is the continued influence of the djembe and dunun drums and West African dance among African Americans. The Hethushka were basically drum and dance societies, each with their own songs, singers, and dancers. Read on to get more insight, along with tips on how to avoid making potentially hurtful mistakes. The problem lies in the fact that white food bloggers continue to rebrand and fuse dishes from other cultures. It's like "who gets to be the gate-keeper of the cultural appropriation drum circle"? You can download the paper by clicking the button above. Cultures are complex. When search suggestions are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. 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. In 1923, Charles H. Burke, Commissioner of Indian Affairs in the United States, passed legislation modeled on Circular 1665, which he published in 1921, that limited the times of the year in which Native Americans could practice traditional dance, which he deemed as directly threatening the Christian religion. The halftime show was the main feature. By entrainment, I mean that a new voice, a collective voice, emerges from the group as they drum together. Why did I not speak up? In fact, there is no evidence Sheila Black was paid for ceremonies. It completed a circle in a city that has protested and marched against the Washington team in 1992, 2013, and 2014. Pamyuas Akutaq: Traditions of Modern Inuit Modalities in Alaska. In MUSICultures (formerly the Canadian Journal for Traditional Music) 39 (1): 7-41. They then earn credit, praise, and income for those recipes, while people of color continue to struggle for the same recognition and success. The drum circle offers equality because there is no head or tail. Your willingness to engage in compassionate and respectful discussion with others can help encourage them to seek out more information themselves. Populations served include children, teens, adults, and elders, as well as those with movement and cognitive disorders. If you laugh at yourself you'll never run out of things to laugh about.. by Judy Helfand At the day-long singing and drumming retreat on Saturday, I failed to fully step up and confront cultural appropriation and lack of respect for the people whose drums were en, so are we just openly talking politics on the forum now. Cultural appropriation can be a little tricky to understand. Black hairstyles arent costumes or fancy looks, though. Participatory arts interventions are popular to address wellbeing. Sex abuse cases have led to multi-million dollar lawsuits. Litigation regarding homosexuals has led to lifting the ban against homosexuals. Read five books about Native American culture from the Koshares library. This article is a social and historical survey of the interrelationships between African American cultural traditions with the music of West Africa, from colonial times until present--focusing upon the influence of West African Mandingue culture developed during the Mali empire of the 12th century. Theres a lot of heated debate about cultural appropriation and what actions belong in this category. But what about wearing the yukata around your house back home, saying, Japanese people dress like this every day? Not everyone criticized this look. I do not find them to be cultural appropriation. Have I given credit to the creator and the culture it came from? Take henna art, or Mehndi, for example. (2016). In a circle of around 50, all of us but one appeared to be of European descent. Why? Humans have been dancing and singing and hand drumming for thousands of years, all over the world. By sharing these feelings, we can learn from one another and continue to move forward. In fact, this is a great way to appreciate that culture, when you go about it correctly. The main objective is to share rhythm and get in tune with each other and themselves. A number of people have criticized 818, a new brand of tequila created by Kendall Jenner. The Cruise 2020 collection presented by the French haute-couture house of Christian Dior in Marrakesh in April 2019, is a reflection of the growing awareness in fashion circles of the importance of respecting the world's diverse cultures, but also demonstrates how the complexity surrounding cultural appropriation causes change to occur very . Is the source and inspiration of the music and traditions being acknowledged? Are we just looking for things to be offended by now? People who appropriate cultural elements dont recognize or honor the true meaning or purpose of those elements. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. She was open and receptive and disappointed with herself for overlooking naming the cultural origins of the big drum. Its also worth considering why a movie about a key aspect of Black culture needed a white main character and a mostly white cast. In its organizational structure, there is a head chief and assistant head chief; it is further divided into clans Navajo Clan, Sioux Clan, and Kiowa Clan. Group drumming is employed to bring people together, as a form of occupational therapy, and as a vehicle for confronting personal and large scale trauma, as well as natural disasters. She also uses the problematic white savior trope. By the mid-1990s, it had gained a solid place in academic discourse, particularly in the field of sociology. The Boy Scouts of America are sensitive to public controversy. And I had not asked for this acknowledgement as we began. 'Cultural appropriation:' Inuit react to Calgary man's drum dance "A lot of people that I know don't support non-Natives taking these kinds of ceremonial situations and turning them into. This understated city should rightfully be regarded as one of Europe's cultural and artistic capitals. Yeah - Disney has been big on being "woke" and "inclusive" lately, and it's not going over well because I always joke that it's become so inclusive that it's exclusive now. Wouldn't it also tie back to pagan cultures in general? I not only represented myself, but also my family, clan, tribe, and Native peoples across Turtle Island. Henna was originally used to help cool the hands and feet in hot climates. To the rhythm of a grand entry song, the dancers formed a circle at the center of the field around the Vikings logo, and performed break dances with songs appropriate for each category. In an emailed response to Uzoruo, Black said she began doing drum circles with a man named Anthony Barr in 2009, around the same time she began taking part in sweat lodges in New York state, and she had been performing ceremonies with Lakota teachings for six years. if anything I'd think the whole purpose of a drum circle is respecting! "A lot of people that I know don't support non-Natives taking these kinds of ceremonial situations and turning them into their money-making happenings," he said. He told CBCNews he has spent thousands out of his own pocket. For non-Natives, powwows were a vestige of a tribal past. A previous version of this story included two screenshots suggesting the wording about pricing on Black's website changed after speaking with CBC News. When you witness a friend or loved one appropriating someone elses culture, you might wonder whether its best to keep quiet. One has me think, its a little inappropriate. 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. Participatory drum circles can lead to social resilience, emotional completeness, and mental health benefits. You might not realize, but that design comes from a stereotype about [Y] culture. They also fail to give credit where credit is due. The #1 app for tracking pregnancy and baby growth. [1] A Lesson from the Pueblo Revolt of 1680 about Cultural Appropriation and Tribal Sovereignty: What Santa Clara Pueblo Can Do to Protect Tewa Cultural Property, 2012. Thank you for this post. It's a controversial topic, one that activists and celebrities like Adrienne Keene and Jesse Williams have helped bring into the national spotlight. Most of the drums were djembes, a drum from West Africa. Their performances include Japan and England, and large sports venues including the halftime show between the Denver Broncos and New York Jets in 1962. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Definitely a ship that will burn and sink. But they should also take time to acknowledge its cultural roots. The Beat of My Drum: An Autobiography, by Babatunde Olatunji. Drums and drum circles have existed in many cultures. The Indians were members of Boy Scout Troop 230 and of the Koshara (note spelling) club which grew out of that organization. Are people from all races and backgrounds welcome in the group? Dressed in turkey feather or porcupine and deer head- dresses, wearing leather chaps, and stripped to the waist, the band of 18 warriors, led by heap big chief Francis Burshears rushed into the lodge room and captured the attention and applause of more than twice their number. Maintain at least a C grade average in school. One thing is certain. People try to pretend like one thing is insulting to a culture, without understanding the complexity of a culture and everything else it has. I'll be watching with popcorn too. Teenager Jalaiah Harmon created this dance and originally shared it on Instagram. Aaron Carter-Enyi, Kevin Nathaniel Hylton, Canadian Music Educator / Musicien Educateur au Canada, Pan African Journal of Musical Arts Education (JMAE), PhD dissertation, University of British Columbia, Mainstream or marginal? By not everyone, we mean white people.. 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. I appreciate your candor in this piece and am sure many of us have felt the same regret (and perhaps a little shame) when we have not spoken up in public when weve felt it was called for. When Uzoruo was blocked from communicating with Black, she reached out to Anthony Barr but saidshe never received a response. Heres How You Can Reverse It, sports teams with offensive and inappropriate names, naming teams after animals, plants, or noncultural concepts, choosing body art that doesnt carry cultural significance, presenting yoga as a wellness practice favored by white women, acknowledging yogas origin as an Indian spiritual practice, smudging, or the burning of white sage, by non-Indigenous people, getting tattoos or wearing accessories featuring religious symbols when you dont practice that religion, researching a planned tattoo to make sure it doesnt have religious or cultural significance, purchasing inaccurate knockoffs of cultural designs and art, like Navajo-inspired blankets or clothing with tribal designs, buying household items, art, and jewelry directly from the artisans who made them, writing a novel that combines stereotypical elements of various cultures and rebranding it as a new culture, researching and writing a historical fiction novel that accurately represents any cultures included, sharing photos of private or sacred cultural traditions on social media, asking permission before taking (or sharing) photos of festivals or other cultural practices, food bloggers creating recipes inspired by cuisines of other cultures without acknowledging the real work or significance of the traditional dish, learning about the cultural significance of key ingredients or preparation steps before modifying traditional recipes. --- Ringo *. I do not accept my excuses and reaffirm my intention to take the risk next time and step up. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Consider these examples: In the movie La La Land, the white male main character, Sebastian, is depicted as a jazz expert. To form a group consciousness. Am I using this item (or clothing, word, practice, and so on) to learn more about the culture? Like most Red Lake families, we went to powwows as spectators. She's Caribbean, Anishinaabe, Cree and Mtis, and originally from southeastern Manitoba. Attempting to conceive of white Europeans as apolitical participants in colonialist practices is impossible. The Koshare Indian Dancers are the members of Boy Scout Troop 232 and Venturing Crew 2230 of the Rocky Mountain Council. Many trends stem from elements appropriated from other cultures, so you might not realize your actions have passed the point of appreciation. Also, she recognized her responsibility to remind drummers to be respectful of the drum. Dancing was, and continues to be, a fundamental expression of heritage and identity. Because white people have long been the oppressors denying other cultural groups their language and traditions and forcing them to assimilate and conform. I AM the #$%@&^# click!" Culture refers to the traditions, customs, beliefs, and practices of any given ethnic, racial, or religious group. Everything! As we settled into the circle I noticed a couple women resting their feet on the head of their djembes. To fully understand its consequences, though, we need to make sure we have a working definition of culture itself. (n.d.). JavaScript is disabled. Six dance categories were represented mens traditional, womens traditional, grass dance, jingle dress, fancy shawl, and fancy feather. Two months later, the La Junta Daily Democrat covered the Koshare performance at an Elks Lodge: A band of yelling, whooping, painted and be feathered Indians raided the Elks club last night, carrying off the figurative scalp of every member of the organization present. We can only expose it for what it is. Cultural appropriation takes place when members of a majority group adopt cultural elements of a minority group in an exploitative, disrespectful, or stereotypical way. At the first break I thought of saying something to them, but there was a tattle-tale vibe to that. The issue of cultural appropriation in the classroom is definitely one which educators should reflect on. I can only write about dance from my own perspective, my own experiences, and my own history as a dancer. In January, Uzoruo emailed Black to voice her concerns about using Indigenous teachings and drum circle and potentially making a profit from it. You also seek to understand people of that culture, as well as the culture itself, more completely instead of contributing to stereotypes. The money from grants and donations commodifies the Koshare program and institutionalizes it as a stereotypical tribal reality. What I hear when you say: Cultural appropriation. Rhiannon Johnson is an Anishinaabe journalist from Hiawatha First Nation based in Toronto. Idk which is why I'm asking. "Hypothetically, if I wanted to learn more about the drum, then I would have to seek out not just someone who is a drummer, but go to the elders that are drummers that have taught drummers their songs and the protocol of what those songs mean and where they fit within the seasons or the ceremony," Cywink said. In a brief moment in time, they witnessed the beauty of Native American dance. Uzoruosaid she found Black'sresponse to Indigenous people's concerns around non-Indigenous people leading ceremony to be dismissive and problematic. Uzoruo emailed Black in the hopes of opening up a dialogue, but said the response she received was disappointing. Maybe I just wanted a day off from possible confrontation or anger. What is required is concerted effort to bring about that change and, in the effort, decolonize ourselves from the distortions of the settler mindset. Their dance outfits are costumes that are without cultural context. Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered on CBC Gem. Yoga and the roots of cultural appropriation. The objectives will be to study Anthropology and Indian lore. Historically, deciding exactly what culture is hasn't been easy. Some of this critique was rightly directed at literal cultural theft . Still, as several Black women have pointed out, the hairstyle goes beyond a celebratory look. All cultures have complexities and nuances that contribute to, but go far beyond, their art, clothing, and jewelry. "I also believe that if Black truly seeks ally-ship, she would make a commitment to work with First Nations communities for improved relationships and understandings, instead of stating that she will continue to practise Indigenous ceremonies/teachings in private," said Uzoruo. 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. Thank you for sharing this, Judy. Africans worldwide have experienced the most horrific inhumane treatment throughout world history and injustices are still continuing today. Still, I am uncertain about my actions at the retreat. I think the most notable example I remember is the kardashians with their "boxer braids" trying to erase and white wash the protective hairstyles used for African American hair. A previous headline on this story read 'Non-Indigenous healers asked to stop appropriating and selling Indigenous ceremony.' At the day-long singing and drumming retreat on Saturday, I failed to fully step up and confront cultural appropriation and lack of respect for the people whose drums were enriching our lives. A really woke one. On a cold football field in November, people forgot about the stereotypes found in dominant society. 2023 Healthline Media LLC. Your email address will not be published. Typically, people gather to drum in drum "circles" with others from the surrounding community. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. "If you have the knowledge to help people walk in a better way, a way that is beneficial to everyone and everything why wouldn't you want that shared? Lastly, there was Chibiabos who brought songs to the Anishinaabeg and taught them that music was the language of the soul. The results will be compared with the hopes of yielding similar themes. I can take 5 minutes of a drum circle if played by good pro-level drummers, maybe 10 if they've got a lot of chops and good musicality about them, otherwise no, thank you. If you dont understand how you messed up, do some work to understand why so you can avoid it in the future. Can people of this culture freely use this item without discrimination? In short, authentic pho isnt an easy dish that travels from pot to bowl in an hour. A convergent mixed methods design will be used to collect quantitative data from the Warwick Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale and the qualitative data will be received from a focus group. Gwen Sharp, PhD on July 7, 2011. I realized at that moment another thing: at this circling of women and men to spend the day singing and drumming, a day that opened with prayer and gratitude, no one had called in the Coast Miwok ancestors and acknowledged this spot in San Rafael as on their traditional territory. Ask different people, and youll most likely get a range of answers. Tracing the Paths of Ancestors in the American Landscape, A Post-Modern Queer Interrogates Cree Homosexual Life. On her website, Black says she has studied "Native American"teachings most of her life, attended sweat lodges for 11 years, is a fire keeper at sun dance and is a pipe carrier with the Lakota Nation in the United States. I kept expecting her to attribute the drum to a particular tribe or at least say it was a Native American drum. Multicultural food and art? Loveless G. (2020). The program included a pregame show with a presentation of 27 tribal nation flags from Minnesota and Wisconsin, the Lakota Warrior Womens color guard with service flags, and the national anthem by Rep. Peggy Flanagan of the White Earth Ojibwe Nation. Especially great to read the part about acknowledging the people from the Indigenous lands that you are on. The drum circle is a commercial enterprise wrapped in the guise of spiritual experience. Background: Wellbeing plays an essential role in a complete and health community. Because the concept of the Koshare Dancers is so deeply embedded in the settler mindset, it will be difficult to eradicate. Vol. In short, appreciation involves learning and sharing with permission. Enter the email address you signed up with and we'll email you a reset link. In fact I would argue that 99% of argued "cultural appropriation" is harmless, or sometimes even is a good thing - because it can help to spread the culture and enrich our society through having new things to do and experience. Pressure from Native American organizations could very well lead to changes to subdue Koshare cultural appropriation. The Nandobaniishimowin dance complex consisted of several interconnected dances. Other white characters (not Native American characters) help her establish the school. Demonstrate good Scout spirit in his daily activities. When it became clear that she wasnt going to, once again I did not speak out, not wanting to interrupt the flow of the group settling into the ritual planned for the afternoon. Though on the surface Finns may appear to be a relatively restrained bunch, our museums, galleries, bustling boulevards and animated markets are a great way to tap into the true heart of . You can appreciate and share cultural elements without appropriating. The Best Travel, Food and Culture Guides for Helsinki, Uusimaa - Local News & Top Things to Do She had not thought about any of it but immediately supported me in my concerns, suggesting I email the leaders. Plenty of people have been guilty of cultural appropriation without realizing it. To browse Academia.edu and the wider internet faster and more securely, please take a few seconds toupgrade your browser. In fact, the screenshots were from two different pages on Black's website. We can only expose it for what it is. So I let it go. Dance was deeply ingrained in the traditional life of the Anishinaabeg. [5] Full stop. Powwows were common events on many reservations and were attractions for tourists. I was uncomfortable with the blatant disrespect for the drum and unsure what to do about it. Probably the most authentic Finnish thing you can do is rent a lakeside cabin for a few days, though your choice will be limited at short notice. However, dance, like so many other things that are Native, has been appropriated and commodified by dominant society. Starting with practically nothing, the Koshara club has built up its stock of costumes until today they are worth about $5,000 according to Burshears. In the story of Anishinaabe (Original Man), on the day of his creation, he rose up and took two steps with his left foot, then two steps with his right foot. 1997-2023 BabyCenter, LLC, a Ziff Davis company. When a person from a specific culture explains that your actions are harmful, theyre harmful. Each team will form a drum circle and perform their collective voice, no more than 1-2 minutes.
drum circle cultural appropriation
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