I wanted to make sure I wasn't being overly sensitive. I have always tried to be aware of these issues but it is complicated and each session I facilitate there wil be many different pieces I am trying to juggle and deal with; from late arrivals, confusion in the music, shy participants and so on, so I might not be always able to address every piece as well as it could be done at every session, but attempt to cover all the important pieces I can get to, that present themselves into my thinking as i facilitate I think that having a word with the facilitator in private in a kindly and clear way was a very good idea as it avoided putting her on the spot in public, where she might have found it very challenging, and it might have factured the space she was creating, or diminished its powerAnd it seems she was very open to your thinking so all good To my thinking, if there was something very offensive and unkind, very direspectul of race or culture, then these would certainly be times where an immediate response would be needed, although I would think this sort of situation is very rare in this kind of setting. 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. In 2003, a Maiden program was formally created that allowed girls to participate in dance performances. The Helsinki-Uusimaa Region is at the heart of Northern Europe, more precisely in the very south of Finland and it has some 230 km of Baltic Sea coastline. Now every year we have this thing called the Whole Earth Festival, which is just sort of a collection of hippy merchants selling some actually pretty cool stuff, live music, and a lot of college students doing drugs they buy from some weird guy who lives in a VW bus. "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. I do think aboriginal culture has an important place in our history but I don't think we need to appropriate it to acknowledge it's importance. Someday I knew I would be a dancer. Cultural appreciation vs. cultural appropriation: Why it matters. 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. Except where otherwise noted, articles on this website are licensed under a, The Koshares and the Appropriation of Native American Dance, Sweetgrass Protocols for Culturally Responsible Journalism. One has me think, its a little inappropriate. Too much possibility for someone to be offensive and completely miss the mark. Their cultural appropriation includes Native American dance itself and exploits the cultural property of several tribes including the Ojibwe, Lakota, Blackfoot, Kiowa, and Comanche. Because the concept of the Koshare Dancers is so deeply embedded in the settler mindset, it will be difficult to eradicate. Why did I not speak up? Their cultural appropriation includes Native American dance itself and exploits the cultural property of several tribes including the Ojibwe, Lakota, Blackfoot, Kiowa, and Comanche. A drum circle though is harmless. In a circle of around 50, all of us but one appeared to be of European descent. Pow wow - Wikipedia You also seek to understand people of that culture, as well as the culture itself, more completely instead of contributing to stereotypes. Appropriation also tends to involve some misuse of cultural elements. I think it sounds kind of iffy. To form a group consciousness. Would a person of that culture see my actions as respectful? Black's website also stated her prices were reasonable and affordable. 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 are. Are drum circles culture appropriation? : r/drums - Reddit Since it appears that your words were heard, these leaders will then be allies, share what they learned, and have much more impact that you alone. Then immediately stop what youre doing. Exhibitions and lectures have played an important role in that they have allowed me to educate about dance and its meaning to Native people. When did "cultural appropriation" become a concept? 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 . I can only write about dance from my own perspective, my own experiences, and my own history as a dancer. Everything! Helsinki, Uusimaa travel guide - Culture Trip You even stated "I wasn't sure if I was being overly sensitive". Special issue Indigenous Modernities, eds. Uzoruo emailed Black in the hopes of opening up a dialogue, but said the response she received was disappointing. In my opinion, if all your culture boils down to is drums, its a shit culture and i dont care about it. Be elected by a 2/3 majority vote of the active Koshares. He told CBCNews he has spent thousands out of his own pocket. 1997-2023 BabyCenter, LLC, a Ziff Davis company. Are we just looking for things to be offended by now. How to become an Indigenous healer for $1,111, 'Cultural appropriation:' Inuit react to Calgary man's drum dance, Facebook sweat lodge, the online resurgence of native spirituality, CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices. A drum circle is a celebration of life and community with the goal to share rhythm and form group consensus. I'm sorry, but I hate drum circles. The chart below offers some examples to help illustrate the difference. In a circle of around 50, all of us but one appeared to be of European descent. Change your clothes, take the accessory off, scrub the phrase from your vocabulary. Why? Black said in an email that sheaccepts payment only for weddings. This is such an important step that hopefully will lead to more people thinking about what they can further do to work with those communities. You can appreciate and share cultural elements without appropriating. But what is more insidious is the harm and divisive structures to Foundational Blacks to kidnap and our cultural and historical contribution to the world, know better than research is the classic book Stolen Legacy by G.M. I AM the #$%@&^# click!" (PDF) The Affect of Drum Circles on FBB Racial Pride and Cultural What Is Cultural Appropriation? | Britannica Being corrected in public being shamed and embarrassed in front of others is tricky territory most of us dont handle well. "I never received a penny or any type of remuneration for these drum circles. I did it on a volunteer basis for approximately 10 years," she said in an emailed response to CBCNews. In short, authentic pho isnt an easy dish that travels from pot to bowl in an hour. Continued exploitation of people from other cultures. The Koshare program relies on corporate funding and grants, and individual membership donations for their activities and for their museum. They also fail to give credit where credit is due. TikTok influencers eventually began to share videos of themselves performing the dance, without crediting Harmon. Its just a way for people who see that the world has been shit to these cultures, and feel guilty about that fact, to try and comfort themselves by thinking theyre doing the right thing. Have I given credit to the creator and the culture it came from? The issue of cultural appropriation in the classroom is definitely one which educators should reflect on. Most of the drums were djembes, a drum from West Africa. Not everyone criticized this look. Membership is limited to first-class scouts. The Koshare Indian Dancers epitomize the appropriation of Native American dance in mainstream society. United States Senate Special Committee on Aging, Stepping Up to Address Cultural Appropriation. Uzoruosaid she found Black'sresponse to Indigenous people's concerns around non-Indigenous people leading ceremony to be dismissive and problematic. Just know that true sharing requires permission, acknowledgment, and respect. I shared the picture of the Wildhorse Pow Wow drummers on my meditation FB page, OceanCrest. In becoming a dancer, I not only fulfilled my dream-vision, but it also gave me a base of support for my sobriety. An exploratory study of African Drumming as an intervention in Diversity Training, Culturally Diverse Music Education in North American K-12 Classrooms: The Role of Teacher Attitudes and Attributes in Facilitating Engaged Practices, Pamyua's Akutaq: Traditions of Modern Inuit Modalities in Alaska, Intercultural Music Transmission at the Dagara Music Center and Development of Musical Interspace, 'I drum, therefore I am?' The Yankton Lakota adopted the Hethushka and called it the Omaha Dance, or Grass Dance, the latter in reference to the braided sweet grass worn at the belt. Heres a good guideline to keep in mind: If you have permission to participate in that culture and use or share specific elements, youre not appropriating.Say youre visiting a Japanese friend from college who invites you to celebrate the summer festival Tanabata. In a way, the whole cultural appropriation debate is also "a symptom of a very visible, assertive, middle and professional class" of people from ethnic minorities in the US, says Prof Ray. Although its appropriation has, by no means, replaced Native American dance itself, it has provided a representative of dance that distorts and misinforms a tribal reality. We avoid using tertiary references. Thank you for sharing this, Judy. Since that misrepresents Japanese culture, it would become appropriation. To form a group consciousness. 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. Most importantly, for the dancers and singers, it was the opportunity to counter the stereotypes epitomized by the Washington Redskins. Having children learn about elements of Indigenous culture and participate in . Most of the work has been done by the boys themselves, even to dyeing the feathers and the stringing of their beads. Within the myth of the Vanishing Indian, the Koshare program emerged and objectified Native American dance into a dance pageant that, to this day, lacks form and meaning. Drums are sacred in West African cultures and I had experienced drum teachers educating new drummers about not using a drum for anything but drumming. You cant truly appreciate without this deeper awareness. 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. Non-Indigenous healers asked to stop appropriating Indigenous ceremony | CBC News Loaded. They originated in 1933 at La Junta, Colorado. Definitely a ship that will burn and sink. According to their literature, new members are called Papooses, and begin their Koshare career by working on their Scout activities. 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. They also messed up which culture, because the drums that you use are rooted in Africa but the concept of the drum circle originated in the 1960's and 70's in the US and it was for ANY GROUP OF PEOPLE to get together and jam out music together. Exactly which culture is being appropriated? In fact, the screenshots were from two different pages on Black's website. Barr's website states he "spent four years studying with medicine men from Garden River, Sault St. Marie in Northern Ontario and Mississauga in Southern Ontario, Canada.". Participatory drum circles can lead to social resilience, emotional completeness, and mental health benefits. Here are the best options. A number of people have criticized 818, a new brand of tequila created by Kendall Jenner. I not only represented myself, but also my family, clan, tribe, and Native peoples across Turtle Island. I came across a check list someone posted about this kind of issue and have added to it and modified it a little : Stepping Up to Address Cultural Appropriation - Racial Justice Allies the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information. Research, design and construct his own authentic dance outfit and pass inspection. He said they claimed to be shamans or medicine people practising different Indigenous ceremonies, and he said this still goes on today. Looking for guidance on recognizing when appreciation of another culture crosses the line? What is (the wrong of) cultural appropriation? As a young boy, I attended the annual powwows held at Red Lake. Because the concept of the Koshare Dancers is so deeply embedded in the settler mindset, it will be difficult to eradicate. But, in the indigenous context, Drums are for people, not profit. When a person from a specific culture explains that your actions are harmful, theyre harmful. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Tribal economies were basically non-existent. Theres nothing at all wrong with wanting to prepare or enjoy food from another culture. If you do use any elements from that culture, you ask permission and give credit to the creator or source. Your email address will not be published. Finding a therapist is a huge step in caring for your mental health. And Ive been a part of dance exhibitions in schools. (n.d.). Cultural appropriation takes place when members of a majority group adopt cultural elements of a minority group in an exploitative, disrespectful, or stereotypical way. Cultures are complex. Read five books about Native American culture from the Koshares library. Acknowledging all elements of a culture extends to recognizing how white supremacy and racism have played a part in dismantling and oppressing other cultures. Her fields of interest include Asian languages and literature, Japanese translation, cooking, natural sciences, sex positivity, and mental health. For me, it was the high point of my life as a dancer. Its worth keeping in mind that you can certainly say or do insensitive and racist things without necessarily taking anything from a culture. He even goes so far as to explain jazz, a music style created by Black artists, to a Black character and take on the role of white savior in his efforts to keep jazz alive. Culture refers to the traditions, customs, beliefs, and practices of any given ethnic, racial, or religious group. The Boy Scouts of America are sensitive to public controversy. People try to pretend like one thing is insulting to a culture, without understanding the complexity of a culture and everything else it has. 'Cultural appropriation:' Inuit react to Calgary man's drum dance Cultural appropriation: Why is food such a sensitive subject? So I let it go. 151-175. What Does It Mean to Be Gender Nonconforming? Each team will form a drum circle and perform their collective voice, no more than 1-2 minutes. Cultural appreciation vs cultural appropriation. 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. Failing to assimilate can carry heavy consequences, including fewer opportunities for work or career advancement and racist violence or threats. The Indians were members of Boy Scout Troop 230 and of the Koshara (note spelling) club which grew out of that organization. For white people, this involves doing some potentially uncomfortable work. She was open and receptive and disappointed with herself for overlooking naming the cultural origins of the big drum. Humans have been dancing and singing and hand drumming for thousands of years, all over the world. 2023 Racial Justice Allies racialjusticeallies (at) gmail (dot) com. In her stories, the founder of the American wizardry school is a white woman. Their dance outfits are costumes that are without cultural context. Harmful Effects of Cultural Appropriation - Health Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Heres the first clue: If a person of color says your behavior is culturally appropriative, take that criticism at face value. Getting henna body art might seem like a harmless way to appreciate something beautiful. 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? While the title of the recipe has since been changed, many blog commenters feel retitling the dish falls short of an adequate response. cultural appropriation, adoption of certain language, behaviour, clothing, or tradition belonging to a minority culture or social group by a dominant culture or group in a way that is exploitative, disrespectful, or stereotypical. I chose to share the knowledge I acquired to do exactly that.". I noticed your T-shirt had [X] design on it. They encourage you to dress in a yukata traditional Japanese summer clothing and help you put it on properly. The community work of these women evokes a sense of independence, purpose, and connection in drumming participants in a fun, relaxed context. The Scalp Dance involved the community and was intended to honor the lives of those taken. The second half of the day was built around a new drum, carried in and set up in the middle of the circle. It may not display this or other websites correctly. This is another example of cherry. 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. "There was just this assertion of a right to teach it because of the affiliations with unspecified elders, community, Indigenous people, Indigenous network," said Uzoruo. It became popular on the app TikTok in 2020 but that isnt where it started. Drums and drum circles have existed in many cultures. 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. You can have as many drums and variety as you choose but at least one drum MUST be crafted (there are many examples on the internet). Yet I am well aware that people of color dont get time off from dealing with racism. Moving from individualising practices and cultural appropriation to the ethical application of alternative practices in social work, Teaching and learning within the cross-cultural transmission of West-African music in Australian community settings, Music and Leadership among Adolescents in Salvador da Bahia, Brazil, Conceptualising integrative exchanges: marginalisation, music and identity of African diaspora in Hong Kong, Set our spirits free: Exploring the role of spirituality as an anti-oppressive agent in the formal education of African Nova Scotian learners, Central Park Rumba: Nuyorican Identity and the Return to African Roots, Zero Tolerance and Central Park Rumba Cabildo Politics, [Preprint] How We Got into Drum Circles, and How to Get Out: De-essentializing African Music, Awakened to racial justice: Music educator responses to The Gahu Project. As the Mandingue traditions have become increasingly popular word wide, traditional West African drum and dance have remained a vital component of the African American connection with Africa. The objectives will be to study Anthropology and Indian lore. For the last 10 years, Bonita Uzoruo has been living in Halton Hills, Ont. One thing is certain. What say you DT? The problem lies in the fact that white food bloggers continue to rebrand and fuse dishes from other cultures. A viral video that surfaced via Instagram and Reddit on Sunday shows a verbal dispute that took place between a Las Vegas street performer and a passerby regarding the cultural origins of his. I didnt interrupt even though I often talk and write about the need to interrupt white supremacy. As a term, cultural appropriation has its roots in the latter half of the 20th century with its highest usage coming after 1980. . Like most Red Lake families, we went to powwows as spectators. The Hethushka were basically drum and dance societies, each with their own songs, singers, and dancers. the Middle East); frame drums, which I associate with Celtic tradition although they are used in many cultures; and other drums I didnt know. Learn how it works, what to consider, and whether its. Do those count as appropriation? Cultural appropriation is not, and never has been a good - Reddit 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. Pull them aside privately or send them a quick text or DM explaining what you noticed and why it could cause harm. See additional information. The Beat of My Drum: An Autobiography, by Babatunde Olatunji. The schools houses also feature Rowlings reimagined versions of important beings in Native American mythology as creature mascots. And I had not asked for this acknowledgement as we began. Theres a lot of heated debate about cultural appropriation and what actions belong in this category. Ironically, both the Far Left AND Far Right now agree that white people shouldnt play hand drums. Indeed, the Koshare halftime show at Mile High Stadium in 1962, was not a celebration of Native life; rather, it was a celebration of cultural appropriation. 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. Cultural . Regional womens drumming groups are also explored. Drumming For Dollars--Running In Vicious Circles The drum circle offers equality because there is no head or tail. Heard of the Renegade? Some people noted that since she grew up locally, her hair and outfit simply showed respectful participation. The Omaha/Sioux Dance divided into two distinct dance styles mens traditional and grass dance (non-bustled dancers). Anthony Barr said he doesn't think he is appropriating Indigenous culture. Also problematic was Chet Hanks response. ShamanicMayan shaman led the group and punctuated the drumming with a presentation of spiritual and cultural elements; CompositeBegan session by passing hand to hand hollow, bead-filled "shaker eggs" around a circle, faster and faster until inevitably they would drop to the floor. Maybe I just wanted a day off from possible confrontation or anger. In September, the Koshares issued their first press release: Scouts of Troop 230 met last evening and perfected a formal organization of the Indian club, which will be known as the Koshare club. While it is critical for tribes to incorporate an authentic indigenous aesthetic into dominant perception, indigenous identities should not simply be appropriated by a student group.[1]. Dance has been an integral part of indigenous cultures long before colonialization. You can download the paper by clicking the button above. Box 500 Station A Toronto, ON Canada, M5W 1E6. The results will be compared with the hopes of yielding similar themes. 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. Never Mind.. Is respect developing? I went to an elder, gave him asemaa (tobacco), told him of my dream, and he said that the manidoog (spirits) were telling me to dance. "I assumed seeing that photo that she may be Indigenous and I thought, 'oh, this is great,'" saidUzoruo. everyone is a person of color except one" dead, "hurry up I have a Trilateral Commission meeting later this afternoonJoe. When our objective is to raise awareness and change behavior, we need to keep this in mind. It was only a six and half minute performance, but it left an indelible impression on the dancers, singers, and crowd of 52,000 fans. Also, she recognized her responsibility to remind drummers to be respectful of the drum. Last medically reviewed on August 24, 2021. On the reverend's website, Uzoruo learned that Black is not Indigenous. 2023 Healthline Media LLC. I do not accept my excuses and reaffirm my intention to take the risk next time and step up. its like white people with dredlocks, the only people who complain about it are usually other annoying white people, the rest of us just think they smoke weed or meth, or just never grew out of their reggae phase. In particular, shes committed to helping decrease stigma around mental health issues. Are people from all races and backgrounds welcome in the group? Non-Indigenous healers asked to stop appropriating Indigenous - CBC Why Cultural Appropriation Is Wrong - ThoughtCo "These teachings teach people how to respect each other and Mother Earth. Cultural Appropriation Definition and Examples - What is Cultural Under a dark sky with a temperature of 25 degrees, twenty-one dancers danced to the songs of the RedBone Singers, a Twin Cities based drum group. I also am sharing this on my personal FB page. Appropriation affects people from exploited, marginalized cultures. Your willingness to engage in compassionate and respectful discussion with others can help encourage them to seek out more information themselves. She had not thought about any of it but immediately supported me in my concerns, suggesting I email the leaders. I hoped the two retreat leaders would say something, but they did not. Wondering exactly what counts as cultural appropriation? It was against this backdrop that J.R. Buck Burshears founded the Koshare dancers in 1933. Traditional councils were overshadowed by progressive tribal entities that would become formalized under the Indian Reorganization Act in 1936. The levity that this produced was followed with an . Plus by now we were well into the beauty and meditative state of the day and I wanted to enjoy letting my conscious mind unravel and fall into the sound and vibrations of singing and percussion.
