The use of sage was not the only cultural artifact that these Native American spokespeople objected to being used by nonnatives. Empowering Lives with Nutritious and Delicious NDIS Meals! S&P Index data is the property of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. and its licensors. Sage, sacred to Native Americans, is being used in purification rituals, raising issues of cultural appropriation. Just don't pretend to do a sacred smudge ritual of something. Studies have shown that burning blue sage can help to reduce anxiety and stress levels, improve sleep quality, and even boost immunity. In other words, its important to leave the root, because thats how the plant grows back. Typically African-American musical traditions have been targeted for such exploitation. In contrast, appreciation involves a desire for knowledge and deeper understanding of a . Our modern understanding of cultural appropriation is highly individualised. This can include unauthorized use of another culture's. Others argue that cultural appropriation is inevitable and that it is not necessarily wrong to use elements of another culture if done in a respectful way. 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. :) the only reason white sage is so sacred to us (besides being a ceremonial tool) is because it only grows within the southwest of north America and the top of Central America, its going endangered as well and the govt refuses to add it to the endangered plants. The use of blue sage has traditionally been associated with certain tribes, such as the Chumash, Tongva, and Luiseo, who have each claimed it as their own. Why is burning sage cultural appropriation? Thanks to the recent trendiness of smudging, white sage is in high demand. Supporters of cultural appropriation argue that it is not inherently wrong to use elements of another culture, as long as it is done in a respectful way. If you have used herbs to cleanse your space in the past and enjoy the ritual, you don't have to give it up in order to do so in a culturally conscious way. Those who had been using sage returned to using either salt and water or rosemary for purification. Note that the issue is specifically White Sage. ._3oeM4kc-2-4z-A0RTQLg0I{display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-ms-flex-pack:justify;justify-content:space-between} That smudge stick represents the deep pain, sacrifice, resistance, and refusal of Native peoples. This is something known as a closed practice, something those who are not within specific cultures are not welcome to use under any circumstances. They then used salt and water to purify the circle. Your email address will not be published. Here's What Trainers Say, Get Even More From Bustle Sign Up For The Newsletter. Do you have knowledge or insights to share? ._12xlue8dQ1odPw1J81FIGQ{display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle} . The past few years have certainly left many folks with the desire to rid their homes of negative energy. From a historical perspective, the term that is typically used to describe the adoption of certain . That may include educating yourself and others about white sage, appropriation, and smoke cleansing; harvesting your own sage or other herbs sustainably; contacting brands to ask them to stop selling white sage without giving due to Native cultures; or using other plants entirely. Different Native communities use different medicines for smudging depending on where they are from, and not every culture uses white sage or smudges. The term "cultural appropriation" has been used to describe everything from makeup and hairstyles to tattoos, clothing and even food and wellness practices. Traditional dress and eagles feathers were two other examples of commonly appropriated items. ._3K2ydhts9_ES4s9UpcXqBi{display:block;padding:0 16px;width:100%} Building on von Redecker's point about the abstract . You can also use white sage as long as if you bought it for a native, or a native gave it to you. 2023 BDG Media, Inc. All rights reserved. When using medicinal plants, its important that the plant is used sustainably. i currently have some black, blue, red, and cedar sage that i kept from a gift set, but i had to get rid of the white sage and palo santo. . Helen A. Berger, Affliated Scholar at the Women's Studies . The market has become larger as aspects of Pagan or New Age practices have seeped into more general practice and the number of Pagans has increased. The general act of smoke cleansing, however, is not inherently spiritual or specific to a certain culture in the way that smudging is. I have a passion for learning and enjoy explaining complex concepts in a simple way. All rights reserved. If burning incense, herbs, or wood is part of your self-love practice and inner wellness work, there are safe-burning alternatives to burning sage for smoke cleansing, including lavender, pine, thyme, and cloves, each of which has its own unique properties and is not environmentally endangered. Today, Native people are still fighting to be able to perform these ceremonies in hospitals. and challenging what they describe as wanton cultural appropriation by non-Natives eager for a quick fix to the "dis-ease" associated . ._2cHgYGbfV9EZMSThqLt2tx{margin-bottom:16px;border-radius:4px}._3Q7WCNdCi77r0_CKPoDSFY{width:75%;height:24px}._2wgLWvNKnhoJX3DUVT_3F-,._3Q7WCNdCi77r0_CKPoDSFY{background:var(--newCommunityTheme-field);background-size:200%;margin-bottom:16px;border-radius:4px}._2wgLWvNKnhoJX3DUVT_3F-{width:100%;height:46px} Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. I appreciate the sensitivity but there are bigger fish to fry in a society that puts kids in cages because their parents are brown. But some brands and shops continue to sell white sage, despite Native communities speaking out against it. It was used because it was associated with Native American practice. Culinary sage (the kind you use in butternut squash and roasted chicken dishes), also known as garden sage, originally comes from the shores of the northern Mediterranean region. In this article, we will explore the history of blue sage, examine how it has been appropriated, investigate the impact of its cultural appropriation, analyze the debate surrounding its use, explain the benefits of adopting it respectfully, identify alternatives to using blue sage without cultural appropriation, and investigate how to balance respect for culture with enjoyment of blue sage. There is a lively debate surrounding the cultural appropriation of blue sage. It's important that in the process of any cleansing you're respecting Indigenous cultures and the ecosystem. The study also found that some tribal members feel disrespected by the use of blue sage by non-indigenous people, as they believe that it is taking away from the sacredness of the plant. One way to do this is to purchase blue sage from indigenous vendors whenever possible. Soflyy03 10 mo. It is now being more widely marketed by stores such as Walmart and Anthropologie. When purification includes the use of sage, it raises the issue of appropriation, as it has traditionally been used by Native Americans in their rituals. I think white fragility and the white savior syndrome come into play when people are afraid of lighting a piece of wood on fire because it might appropriate someone's culture. The practice of smudging, therefore, should not be taken lightly, according to Dr. Adrienne Keene, an assistant professor of American Studies and Ethnic Studies at Brown University, author of the blog Native Appropriations, and citizen of the Cherokee Nation. ._1sDtEhccxFpHDn2RUhxmSq{font-family:Noto Sans,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:400;line-height:18px;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-ms-flex-flow:row nowrap;flex-flow:row nowrap}._1d4NeAxWOiy0JPz7aXRI64{color:var(--newCommunityTheme-metaText)}.icon._3tMM22A0evCEmrIk-8z4zO{margin:-2px 8px 0 0} New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Is this the society we re living in? Would love to hear if you found anything out. When we pick sage, we always leave the root and say a prayer of thanks for our harvest. Cultural appropriation is a very complicated topic, and the line between appreciating and learning from another culture and stealing from them in a harmful way isn't always clear. But unless you are a descendant of Indigenous North American people, it likely wasn't white sage that they were burning, according to Keene. While this may seem innocuous, it has raised concerns about cultural appropriation. The cleansing and purification of the place and the participants are meant to protect them by keeping out unsavory spirits. In particular, the practice of burning blue sage, also known as smudging, has become increasingly popular among non-indigenous people. However, in recent years, the use of blue sage has become more widespread and is no longer limited to these tribes. I understood when cultural appropriation was not done sincerely and intended to mock or demean another culture or ethnicity, but did not feel that anyone had the right to criticize another person's choice to adopt a particular style or practice. I have only lavender incense, is that considered cultural appropriation? When I began my research in 1986, it was most commonly done using salt and water. Why are your so afraid of possibly offending? Click Registration to join us and share your expertise with our readers.). As Pike notes, in the early 1990s Native Americans from several tribes began to express their rage at what they saw as cultural strip mining, the stealing and watering down of their culture and their spirituality, which they described as an extension of colonization that had stripped them of their original lands. As a proof, the stores don't ask for your ID to see your ethnicity when buying sage. As Keene explains, overharvesting white sage in addition to the threat of increased wildfires and urban development endangers Indigenous peoples ability to access and use the wild plant in the ways they and their ancestors have done for thousands of years. ._1QwShihKKlyRXyQSlqYaWW{height:16px;width:16px;vertical-align:bottom}._2X6EB3ZhEeXCh1eIVA64XM{margin-left:3px}._1jNPl3YUk6zbpLWdjaJT1r{font-size:12px;font-weight:500;line-height:16px;border-radius:2px;display:inline-block;margin-right:5px;overflow:hidden;text-overflow:ellipsis;vertical-align:text-bottom;white-space:pre;word-break:normal;padding:0 4px}._1jNPl3YUk6zbpLWdjaJT1r._39BEcWjOlYi1QGcJil6-yl{padding:0}._2hSecp_zkPm_s5ddV2htoj{font-size:12px;font-weight:500;line-height:16px;border-radius:2px;display:inline-block;margin-right:5px;overflow:hidden;text-overflow:ellipsis;vertical-align:text-bottom;white-space:pre;word-break:normal;margin-left:0;padding:0 4px}._2hSecp_zkPm_s5ddV2htoj._39BEcWjOlYi1QGcJil6-yl{padding:0}._1wzhGvvafQFOWAyA157okr{font-size:12px;font-weight:500;line-height:16px;border-radius:2px;margin-right:5px;overflow:hidden;text-overflow:ellipsis;vertical-align:text-bottom;white-space:pre;word-break:normal;box-sizing:border-box;line-height:14px;padding:0 4px}._3BPVpMSn5b1vb1yTQuqCRH,._1wzhGvvafQFOWAyA157okr{display:inline-block;height:16px}._3BPVpMSn5b1vb1yTQuqCRH{background-color:var(--newRedditTheme-body);border-radius:50%;margin-left:5px;text-align:center;width:16px}._2cvySYWkqJfynvXFOpNc5L{height:10px;width:10px}.aJrgrewN9C8x1Fusdx4hh{padding:2px 8px}._1wj6zoMi6hRP5YhJ8nXWXE{font-size:14px;padding:7px 12px}._2VqfzH0dZ9dIl3XWNxs42y{border-radius:20px}._2VqfzH0dZ9dIl3XWNxs42y:hover{opacity:.85}._2VqfzH0dZ9dIl3XWNxs42y:active{transform:scale(.95)} There is no set liturgy that everyone follows, and it is possible for people to create their own rituals. What kind of sage is not cultural appropriation? (Note: Is this article not meeting your expectations? Cultural appropriation is the adoption of certain elements from another culture without the consent of people who belong to that culture. Smudging, also known as saging, has become a trendy wellness practice that folks use to cleanse their spaces be it a bedroom, an entire home, or even a car. The sage plant is native to the Mediterranean region but has grown across the Americas for ages. As a sociologist of religion who has studied contemporary Paganism for more than 30 years, I am aware of how important both contact with the spirit world and purification are in this religion. Geez. Yall are so sickening and you cant even see why. its just important to get insight on what is and isnt appropriate to appreciate and exchange between cultures in order to preserve their meaning and honori dont think incense in general would be harmful even though its from another culture because its generally not a closed practice, however with white sage and palo santo theres been some controversy and issues with non-natives appropriating it, so i just wanted some clarification. It is important to consider the impact that the appropriation of blue sage has had on indigenous communities. Magic, the process of changing reality to your will through incantations, is done in this realm. What is blue sage for? Helen A. Berger is Affiliated Scholar at the Womens Studies Research Center, Brandeis University. Cultural appropriation often is viewed as a problem of . identity. Cultural Appropriation Examples . In the 21st century, cultural appropriationlike globalizationisn't just inevitable; it's potentially positive. As contemporary Pagans often piece together different elements to create their spirituality, for many it seemed natural to include Native American practices. Cultural appropriation is a hot-button issue in todays world, and one of the more recent topics to come under scrutiny is the use of blue sage. White sage, which is sacred to a number of Native American tribes in the southwest United States, has been adopted by both some contemporary Pagans and New Age practitioners for purification rites. Feel free to cleanse or purify or scent or whatever using anything you want. They then used salt and water to purify the circle. FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. @keyframes ibDwUVR1CAykturOgqOS5{0%{transform:rotate(0deg)}to{transform:rotate(1turn)}}._3LwT7hgGcSjmJ7ng7drAuq{--sizePx:0;font-size:4px;position:relative;text-indent:-9999em;border-radius:50%;border:4px solid var(--newCommunityTheme-bodyTextAlpha20);border-left-color:var(--newCommunityTheme-body);transform:translateZ(0);animation:ibDwUVR1CAykturOgqOS5 1.1s linear infinite}._3LwT7hgGcSjmJ7ng7drAuq,._3LwT7hgGcSjmJ7ng7drAuq:after{width:var(--sizePx);height:var(--sizePx)}._3LwT7hgGcSjmJ7ng7drAuq:after{border-radius:50%}._3LwT7hgGcSjmJ7ng7drAuq._2qr28EeyPvBWAsPKl-KuWN{margin:0 auto} For those who wish to avoid culturally appropriating blue sage, there are several other plants and herbs with similar properties that can be used instead. Instead, advocates say non-Native people can learn to cleanse their spaces in ways that are culturally and ecologically sensitive. Added to this, those who are new to Paganism are often unaware of the history of appropriation and are repeating the errors of an earlier generation of Pagans and using sage in their rituals. Some people see it as disrespectful to the tribes that have historically used blue sage and argue that it should not be used by other cultures. Your email address will not be published. Idk I may just not have a ton of experience in this subject, but all of the indigenous people in my life who have seen my incense collection haven't even mentioned anything about any of the scents. We have to stop guarding cultures and subcultures in efforts to preserve them.. Affliated Scholar at the Women's Studies Research Center, Brandeis University. ._3Z6MIaeww5ZxzFqWHAEUxa{margin-top:8px}._3Z6MIaeww5ZxzFqWHAEUxa ._3EpRuHW1VpLFcj-lugsvP_{color:inherit}._3Z6MIaeww5ZxzFqWHAEUxa svg._31U86fGhtxsxdGmOUf3KOM{color:inherit;fill:inherit;padding-right:8px}._3Z6MIaeww5ZxzFqWHAEUxa ._2mk9m3mkUAeEGtGQLNCVsJ{font-family:Noto Sans,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:400;line-height:18px;color:inherit} It has become common, for example, for younger Americans to cleanse their homes of bad spirits with white sage even if they do not identify as Pagans. found along the coast of Southern California, frankincense and myrrh were burned in ancient Egypt for prayer, rosemary was historically burned in hospitals in France, International Union for Conservation of Natures (IUCN) list. In some of the rituals participants were already standing in the circle when this part of the ritual was done; in others they entered afterward. In the case of cultural appropriation, this horizon is the increasingly visible resistance of marginalised communities to cultural appropriation; a horizon of resistance that critics aim to mock and neutralise by labelling it as 'political correctness' (see Cattien, forthcoming). Sage, Salvia officinalis, is one of the most interesting, storied plants in human history. The phrase originated in the . This form of cleansing can look a bit like smudging, but its just the simple act of burning herbs, wood, incense, or other safe-to-burn materials that possess cleansing properties. Cleansing is a way to provide a safe place to interact with the spirit world, which is always part of Pagan rituals. It's something not usually taught to non-natives. Smudging refers to a specific cultural and spiritual practice, but smoke cleansing offers an alternative to smudging for folks who aren't Indigenous. Purification can be done using a number of substances, including salt, rosemary and sometimes white sage. And so often,. More mainstream religions have buildings, such as churches or synagogues, where they maintain sanctuaries for religious purposes only. .s5ap8yh1b4ZfwxvHizW3f{color:var(--newCommunityTheme-metaText);padding-top:5px}.s5ap8yh1b4ZfwxvHizW3f._19JhaP1slDQqu2XgT3vVS0{color:#ea0027} Is this the society we re living in? The use of sage was not the only cultural artifact that these Native American spokespeople objected to being used by nonnatives. Spoken like a true colonising brute. .FIYolDqalszTnjjNfThfT{max-width:256px;white-space:normal;text-align:center} Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice| Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information| Ad Choices Terms & Conditions. As religious studies scholar Sarah Pike found among contemporary Pagans, cultural borrowing from Native Americans was seen as connecting the participants to the spirits that lived in the land around them. Write an article and join a growing community of more than 160,300 academics and researchers from 4,571 institutions. Contemporary Paganism is a set of religions that base their practice on what is known about pre-Christian religions in Europe, mixed with literature, science fiction and personal inspiration. There are other ways to purify your space. From hair trends to relationship advice, our daily newsletter has everything you need to sound like a person whos on TikTok, even if you arent. The participants were also purified, with salt, water, smoke from a candle, incense or rosemary and a crystal or rock, symbolizing Mother Earth. Welcome to r/incense, a community dedicated to the discussion of incense of all kinds. It was used because it was associated with Native American practice. For example, frankincense and myrrh were burned in ancient Egypt for prayer, and rosemary was historically burned in hospitals in France in order to clear the air of infection. It is a way to keep danger at bay as well as provide a way to separate the sacred from the mundane. But you may want to hold off on buying that, too. Really interested in some others viewpoints but a lot of the responses here dont really go into it! 2023 Fortune Media IP Limited. White sage and cultural appropriation Sometimes white sage was used for purification in a ritual. White sage grows naturally in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico and is particularly found along the coast of Southern California and in the Mojave and Sonoran deserts. While it is not inherently wrong to adopt elements of another culture, it can be problematic when the source is not acknowledged or respected. As Pike notes, in the early 1990s Native Americans from several tribes began to express their rage at what they saw as cultural strip mining, the stealing and watering down of their culture and their spirituality, which they described as an extension of colonization that had stripped them of their original lands. At Pagan ceremonies that I attended as a researcher, those leading the ritual would cut a sacred circle. Fears have also been raised that overharvesting could result in the plants becoming extinct, resulting in the extinction of the animals that are dependent on it as well. Crypto Wallet Development: Types, Features, and Popularity, 5 Ways AI is Detecting and Preventing Identity Fraud. As Emily McFarlan Miller reported in a recent Religion News Service article, this is resulting in overharvesting and shortages of the plant, making it harder for Native Americans to find enough for their sacred ceremonies. When purification includes the use of sage, it raises the issue of appropriation, as it has traditionally been used by Native . White sage has become particularly popular with those who practice witchcraft or witchcraft-inspired wellness rituals. The practice has a long and rich history that extends way before white witchy practices brought it onto Instagram feeds near you. At Pagan ceremonies that I attended as a researcher, those leading the ritual would cut a sacred circle. For Hopkins, the appropriation of white sage is made worse because the plant is often not being harvested correctly. Sage, sacred to Native Americans, is being used in purification rituals, raising issues of cultural appropriation Published: February 23, 2023 8.15am EST Author Helen A. Berger Affliated. I hope that brings a little more insight! It only becomes cultural appropriation when an element of culture is adopted from a marginalized group without respect for its cultural meaning or significance or with the purpose of exploiting the culture These tribes have historically used blue sage for ceremonial and medicinal purposes. Cultural appropriation has a long history in popular music. 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Exploring the World of Knowledge and Understanding. valter's osteria recipes; whiteland shirt andrew schulz; san bernardino superior court case search; private label pet products australia; sea palms . They argue that the appropriation of blue sage has led to an increase in the commercialization of the plant, a decrease in access for indigenous people, and a loss of cultural identity. It is a way to keep danger at bay as well as provide a way to separate the sacred from the mundane. Read the original article. Cultural appropriation is not a modern concept; it has existed as long as culture itself. Another is to research the traditional uses of blue sage and incorporate them into your own practices. Its also a sacred herb to several Indigenous communities, including the Lakota, Cheyenne, and Navajo. A Step-by-Step Guide for Musicians. Exclude from home page BNG staff 'No Celebrities Except Jesus': How Asbury Protected the Revival. so are these other kinds of sages ok for non-native smudging/burning? White Sage is one, but there's others out there too. Meanwhile smudging with palo santo and white sage is a sacred ritual for many native North American tribes, who only pass down the practice to members of their community. Curated. It's true: Indigenous people have been calling for the end of the commodification of sage for years, and its non-Native proponents always have an argument ready as to why it's not. As Pagans pride themselves on being sensitive to practices of diverse cultures, most quickly gave up the use of sage; the use of other Native American artifacts in Pagan practices became less common as well. Reed condemned cultural appropriation and claimed sports teams take from different cultures for mere entertainment. The plant sage, or Salvia, grows all around the world in different colors and variants. Blue Sage is widely used for cleansing and . They argue that by taking something that is sacred to them and using it for their own purposes, non-indigenous people are erasing their culture and traditions. Wondering whether burning sage is cultural appropriation is a fair question long story short, burning sage is problematic for a few reasons, the biggest being cultural insensitivity and environmental unsustainability. Its an important ceremonial purifying ritual or prayer created and practiced in many North American Indigenous cultures. @keyframes _1tIZttmhLdrIGrB-6VvZcT{0%{opacity:0}to{opacity:1}}._3uK2I0hi3JFTKnMUFHD2Pd,.HQ2VJViRjokXpRbJzPvvc{--infoTextTooltip-overflow-left:0px;font-size:12px;font-weight:500;line-height:16px;padding:3px 9px;position:absolute;border-radius:4px;margin-top:-6px;background:#000;color:#fff;animation:_1tIZttmhLdrIGrB-6VvZcT .5s step-end;z-index:100;white-space:pre-wrap}._3uK2I0hi3JFTKnMUFHD2Pd:after,.HQ2VJViRjokXpRbJzPvvc:after{content:"";position:absolute;top:100%;left:calc(50% - 4px - var(--infoTextTooltip-overflow-left));width:0;height:0;border-top:3px solid #000;border-left:4px solid transparent;border-right:4px solid transparent}._3uK2I0hi3JFTKnMUFHD2Pd{margin-top:6px}._3uK2I0hi3JFTKnMUFHD2Pd:after{border-bottom:3px solid #000;border-top:none;bottom:100%;top:auto} Those who had been using sage returned to using either salt and water or rosemary for purification. While it is important to respect the cultures that have traditionally used blue sage, it is also possible to use the plant in a respectful way. Helen A. Berger receives funding from the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion, Association for the Sociology of Religion, and West Chester University. It is used in many Native American ceremonies and has long been considered sacred by some tribes. Although Black musicians paved the way for the launch of rock-n-roll, their contributions to the artform were largely ignored in the 1950s and beyond. A perennial evergreen shrub of the mint family with soft, gray-green leaves, produces blue and purple flowers. Purification can be done in several ways. so is blue sage okay to buy and use ? One example that Moody-Ramirez gave is when designers have models wear . When purification includes the use of sage, it raises the issue of appropriation, as it has traditionally been used by Native Americans in their rituals. Getty. Sometimes white sage was used for purification in a ritual. Although this account of cultural appropriation is normative, cultural appropriation is often wrong only in a trivial sense. Using salt and water a specific cultural and spiritual practice, but there are bigger fish to fry a... Several Indigenous communities, including salt, rosemary and sometimes white sage be done using salt and to... S & P Index data is the property of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. and licensors. Believed they were honoring the first people on the continent by incorporating elements of their practice! Its also a sacred smudge ritual of something say non-Native people can learn to cleanse their spaces in that. As a researcher, those leading the ritual would cut a sacred circle any you! Century, cultural appropriation of blue sage from Indigenous vendors whenever possible cant see! 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