Ollie Millington / Getty Images. Its a way of life. TikTok video from Rosa_Dont_Trip (@rosa.dont.trip): "#stitch with @romaarmyyy #greenscreen #fyp #fyp #viral #braiding #culture". Im sure its all well-meaning, but its also really clumsy. For example, you can braid the extensions into two separate braids or three braids for a more elaborate look. This was cultural appropriation at work . Maybe its an answered prayer from the ancestors on both sides that one Day the children of the colonizer would join the team of the indigenous and understand the beauty of earth based traditions and honoring, for the benefit of all and harmony. These people have been braiding their hair for centuries. What ethnicity started braids? this is ahistorical racist nonsense. 10.5K Likes, 372 Comments. 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. Thanks for what you do, Im part way through your free course on Irish pagan practice and Im really appreciating your work and approach., Hi Chelsea, (I made sure they got a personal copy of this reply too!). And this is the sticky point. During the Bronze Age and Iron Age many peoples in the Near East, Asia Minor, Caucasus, East Mediterranean and North Africa are depicted in art with braided or plaited hair and beards. 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. We Celts, working with the Saxons and the Franks, brought our modern culture to the rest of the world with fire and sword. "In a nutshell, people need to know whether they're respecting a culture or ripping them off," Rita said. theres no single "celtic" culture. so weve decided to further adopt our own. many aspects of the celtic cultures are endangered, often because of colonialism. Eight Braids You Can Do Without Being Culturally Offensive The latest crop of statement making braids that won't get you into trouble. What Braids Are Not Cultural Appropriation? 68.2K Likes, 1.1K Comments. The sisters, who are from London, set up the page in 2019 as a way to celebrate natural hair and give advice about how to style it. Braiding started in Africa with the Himba people of Namibia, says Pace. So go ahead and start you story with Celtic influences, don't be surprised in synchronicities start appearing in Magazines, Newspapers and Social Media relating to what your writing about, and mine your dreams for new ideas. Braiding started in Africa with the Himba people of Namibia, says Pace. That is humanitys history, and theres NONE of us with perfect pure innocent and blameless family lines. What I think is behind that is something my friend David raised on his blog earlier this week: Western appropriation/importation of cultural memes from other countries. You can't appropriate cultural practices which were, at least to some degree, designed for export. Im grateful for the correction Each one teach one. please stop using this argument for cultural appropriation. The Ancient Celts This is why white people think nothing of getting Chinese or Japanese character tattoos. I had no idea people got so up in arms about something which, for white folks is really a fashion statement. Cultural appropriation at music festivals like Coachella can be seen in decorative bindis, headdresses, henna, and other accessories deemed . Because both cultures are influenced by each other and compose American culture. Anyone who tells you that Celtic is a closed practice is ego tripping. Braids are among the oldest of all human hairstyles, they have been around for centuries. I suspect that the flack youre receiving is from those who are understandably tired of this trend. With the Instagram era, YouTube tutorials, runways, and popular music festivals, braids have evolved. Keep reading for a fun history lesson on the origin of braids. Almost all women, children, and most men in some way had their hair braided.. 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. Did Celts cornrow their hair? Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Braids are a great way to add style and personality to your look. Braids Are Not Cultural Appropriation: Exploring the History of Only 90% of the time. "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.". 3 Hairstylists on Braids, Cultural Appropriation and Media's Erasure of TikTok video from clare (@clearlyclose): "#stitch with @kelly.lauren #ancestralhealing #europeanamerican #irishamerican #nordic #celtic #decolonize". These braids were often made out of animal hair or human hair and then decorated with beads or shells. I live in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory. 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. Natalie J Monty and her sister run an Instagram haircare page for Black and multiracial women and girls called @got.coils. And one of the most vivid forms of beauty exploitation happens at music festivals . This refers to how the hair is gathered together before it is twisted into different shapes. Did the Celts have cornrows? Click Play to Learn How to Braid Cornrows with Nigella Miller, Expressions and styles have changed, but braiding patterns have remained the same, says Sims. For the most part, everybody also has ancestors who worked to eradicate native spiritual practices in some way. 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. 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. Clueless Celebrities. Did you ever wonder who invented braids? theyre not the same". The name for the hairstyle comes from the word braid, which means to plait. 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? 759 Likes, 126 Comments. The braids were later popularized in France in the 18th and 19th centuries when they were worn by the nobility as a symbol of their status. In the U.S., braids became popular in the 1960s and 70s as African Americans started wearing their hair in its natural state, which was often worn in cornrows or box braids. Screaming cultural appropriation when braids date back to ancient Rome, where cornrows were typically worn by vestal virgins just comes off as a really bad take. You can even wear braided hair extensions if you want to switch up your look but dont have time for a new haircut! There are TONS of things that weve imported from other cultures. Dutch braids are a classic, classy hairstyle that can be worn in so many different ways. Celtic braids were popular among Celtic warriors. They are bullshit if a white person wears them. .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. J. R. R. Tolken was a professor of Old English before he wrote The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Can White People Wear Braids? Are Braids Cultural Appropriation? My But the actual ancient culture in which the pre-Christian religions existed is lost to history. This can lead people to think that they are more African than those who actually are from Africa. They are more than a style they are history. Ignore them, it's not closed by anyone sensible. Some of my (English) ancestors oppressed some of my (Irish/Scottish) ancestors. TikTok video from Jeaux (@jeaux_king): "Reply to @soapstroke thanks sis!! What Is Cultural Appropriation? - Verywell Mind 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. Similarly, the practice is recorded in Europe, Africa, India, China, Japan, Australasia and Central Asia. Its natures way of telling us not to get those styles. Native Americans, Greeks, Romans and Celtic (Irish) art have depicted people in cornrows as long as 1,000 years ago. However, it wasnt until the early 1900s that braids became fashionable in most countries. Hairstyles, especially braids, walk a thin line between being fashionable and being inappropriate. Feel free to take up any books on Celtic Magic you like and put them into practice. Yes, anyone can wear Viking braids! Locks are more than a style statement. 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. Rita Ora, for example, received backlash for "Black-fishing" with her looks when people found out she is white Albanian/Estonian with no Black heritage. Second, when appropriated the symbols tend to lose any importance or context and just get swallowed up into our own ethno-centric view of what they *should* mean (how many times have you seen someone with a Chinese/Japanese tattoo who clearly doesnt speak the language?). Are French Braids Cultural Appropriation? - Helpful Professor However,wearing Dutch braids is usually not considered cultural appropriation. The braids became associated with royalty in other European countries as well, such as Germany and Russia. There's a big difference between cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation. These women were known to wear these braids while they worked in their fields or while they were performing other duties. [History Included]. My gut reaction when I see a white kid with dreadlocks is to roll my eyesthis kid is trying way too hard to be something hes not. If you are simply looking for a cosmetic switch, then feathered hair is the way to go. Braided hair is an ancient Irish symbol of feminine power and luck. 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. 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. Did the Celts wear braids? The Russian braid symbolized honor and pride and had several meanings in Old Russia. By Jacquelyn Francis Date November 17, 2015 Some of my earliest childhood memories are of my mom parting my hair with comb at the centre of my head before braiding my long black hair into two elbow-length plaits. 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. People disregard cultural context when they have never had their culture compromised. Nigella Miller is an NYC-based natural hair and grooming expert with over 13 years of experience. Certainly not in Ireland, we are a people of immigration and emigration, it is in the very blood and bones of us. Besides, culture is meant to be . Are Dutch Braids Cultural Appropriation? (2023) I dont have that, I want that, so I am entitled to take that and do what I want with it. If you wear dreads just to get attention or to fit into a crowd you want to hang out with thats lame. . Then you should part your hair into two sections one on each side of your head. You can wear them long or short, casual or formal. What do Celtic braids mean? It is in our most recent history, with many Irish people still traveling and living abroad due to economic tourism or emigration. Cultural appropriation, on the other hand, is like wearing someone else's heritage as a costume, "as if you were trying to tap into some alter ego or reverse some otherworldly version of yourself," Adelaja said. If your hair is too short, then speak to your hair stylist about incorporating a hair piece to weave through your hair. The history of braids dates back to 3500 BC. There are many different types of braids, each with its own history and meaning. It was around the 1900s when braids became most popular around the world. Who Invented Braids? [Where They Originate, Types & History] 2.4K Likes, 105 Comments. it is 100% possible to cause harm by culturally appropriating celtic culture. "People need to ask themselves: 'Do I understand the significance of what I'm doing here?,' 'Am I honoring this culture or just imitating it?,' and most importantly, 'Will I offend anyone who belongs to this culture? Are Braids Cultural Appropriation? Explained! - Fashion Manufacturing Monty told Insider she has seen a great deal of cultural appropriation of African hairstyles from European brands and individuals since then, claiming many styles and looks as their own. What culture wore braids first? From clean lines to braids that are organic and messy. He said this is a huge problem within the music and entertainment industries. This is a responsible, sober, accurate assessment. ", "Braids are not just a style; this craft is a form of art," says Pace. "You are a product of Multicultural Britain, so it's not cultural appropriation. Don't know why you got downvoted. TikTok video from amanda (@mandapxnda): "please stop using this argument for cultural appropriation. In many African tribes, braided hairstyles were a unique way to identify each tribe. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images. The issue with cultural appropriation is that it often leads to the misrepresentation of a culture. When you try to discover who invented braids, youll go all the way back to Africa. 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. This method of braiding was invented by African people in the 16th century, who used it to make their hair look fuller and thicker. "A reminder to us all that even though life, as we know it, has changed we can still choose how we navigate our way through it.". Are braids Russian culture? Box braids are generally done using synthetic or human hair. The name crochet comes from the fact that the braids are made up of short, tight braids with spaces between them. It's also important to match your intentions to your actions. Anyone can practice it. The process of getting cornrows or dreads can rip out or permanently damage our hair. The Egyptian long tribal braids were first worn by Nubian women in ancient Egypt. This tradition of bonding was carried on for generations and quickly made its way across the world. crucially, whether we give something back rather than simply taking.