is blue sage cultural appropriation

It represents a continuing legacy of marginalizing and punishing Native spirituality, says Keene. It's a controversial topic, one that activists and celebrities like Adrienne Keene and Jesse Williams have helped bring into the national spotlight. "Taking intellectual property, traditional knowledge, cultural expressions, or artifacts from someone else's culture without permission. Still, what most people think of today as cultural appropriation is the opposite: a member of the dominant culture an insider taking from a culture that has historically been and is still . When we pick sage, we always leave the root and say a prayer of thanks for our harvest. Google white sage, the primary ingredient in the mainstream smudging custom, and dozens of choices for sage sticks and bundles appear. 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. The use of sage was not the only cultural artifact that these Native American spokespeople objected to being used by nonnatives. 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. 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. The use of sage by non-Native Americans is again becoming more prevalent. 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. 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. The practice has a long and rich history that extends way before white witchy practices brought it onto Instagram feeds near you. But you may want to hold off on buying that, too. Participants believed they were honoring the first people on the continent by incorporating elements of their spiritual practice. 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. Within these religions nature is viewed as sacred, to be celebrated and protected. As I learned when I was doing my research, most Pagans believe entering this realm holds both great possibilities and dangers. Key elements of culture include: language art,. Another is to research the traditional uses of blue sage and incorporate them into your own practices. 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. 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. Cultural appropriation is not a modern concept; it has existed as long as culture itself. I have a passion for learning and enjoy explaining complex concepts in a simple way. Unless it's endangeredmaybei like castoreum. Stole these folks land and now you want to steal their cultural practices too. More mainstream religions have buildings, such as churches or synagogues, where they maintain sanctuaries for religious purposes only. Helen A. Berger is Affiliated Scholar at the Womens Studies Research Center, Brandeis University. ._12xlue8dQ1odPw1J81FIGQ{display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle} It comes down to the spirit in which you wear a garment and whether that spirit communicates respect versus condescension. Smudging is distinctly Indigenous. 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. In addition, the study found that the appropriation of blue sage has led to a loss of cultural identity for some indigenous people. Click Registration to join us and share your expertise with our readers.). All rights reserved. Cultural appropriation includes using customs, attire, makeup, ideas, art, and language. Exploring the World of Knowledge and Understanding. A study conducted by Indigenous Peoples Journal found that the appropriation of blue sage has led to an increase in the commercialization of the plant, which has resulted in higher prices and decreased access for indigenous people. 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. 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 Is Blue Sage Cultural Appropriation? Your email address will not be published. Cultural appropriation leads to a narrow look at other cultures and often exploitation of those cultures. It represents a continuing legacy of marginalizing and punishing Native spirituality. Typically African-American musical traditions have been targeted for such exploitation. 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. It is important to note, however, that they should still be used in a respectful way and not taken out of their traditional contexts. Our modern understanding of cultural appropriation is highly individualised. Instead, advocates say non-Native people can learn to cleanse their spaces in ways that are culturally and ecologically sensitive. So when our religious practices are . It is a way to keep danger at bay as well as provide a way to separate the sacred from the mundane. The participants were also purified, with salt, water, smoke from a candle, incense or rosemary and a crystal or rock, symbolizing Mother Earth. All Rights Reserved. Cultural appropriation refers to the use of objects or elements of a non-dominant culture in a way that reinforces stereotypes or contributes to oppression and doesn't respect their original meaning or give credit to their source. 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. 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 the way in which the idea was first. 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. 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A perennial evergreen shrub of the mint family with soft, gray-green leaves, produces blue and purple flowers. The use of sage by non-Native Americans is again becoming more prevalent. . It would be both ironic and sad if in celebrating Mother Earth, Pagans helped to make a sacred herb extinct. Powered and implemented by Interactive Data Managed Solutions. There is no set liturgy that everyone follows, and it is possible for people to create their own rituals. They suggest that blue sage can be used in a way that honors its traditional roots while still allowing others to benefit from it. Really interested in some others viewpoints but a lot of the responses here dont really go into it! "When using medicinal plants, it's important that the plant is used . Feel free to cleanse or purify or scent or whatever using anything you want. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Traditional dress and eagles feathers were two other examples of commonly appropriated items. It's all about what Halloween costume you wear, or who's cooking biryani. White sage has become particularly popular with those who practice witchcraft or witchcraft-inspired wellness rituals. At the same time, it is possible to enjoy the benefits of blue sage without disrespecting its cultural roots. For Hopkins, the appropriation of white sage is made worse because the plant is often not being harvested correctly. 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. 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. Balancing respect for culture with enjoyment of blue sage is an important issue. In particular, the practice of burning blue sage, also known as smudging, has become increasingly popular among non-indigenous people. Because of all that complicated history of sage burning, when non-Native people use white sage to "smudge" their homes or other spaces, it infringes upon the cultural importance and authenticity of the ritual and prayer simply, its cultural appropriation. Blue sage (Salvia clevelandii) is a perennial herb native to California, Arizona, and Baja California, Mexico. Sometimes white sage was used for purification in a ritual. But if you tend to poke around smoke cleansing social media circles, you've probably heard people ask (and might be wondering yourself): Is burning sage and smudging cultural appropriation? 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. It is used in many Native American ceremonies and has long been considered sacred by some tribes. This may just be the people I know, or the area, or any other number of factors, but I'm pretty sure generally speaking you're chill to burn what you want as long as you don't LARP and pretend to do some ceremony or ritual with significant cultural value. I'm sorry that this doesn't directly address blue sage, however this is the best I can do broadly addressing the issue. A Step-by-Step Guide for Musicians. But unless you are a descendant of Indigenous North American people, it likely wasn't white sage that they were burning, according to Keene. Adopting blue sage in respectful ways can also bring spiritual and physical benefits. connecting the participants to the spirits, resulting in the extinction of the animals, LinkedIn has officially entered its cringe era, and its working. Would love to hear if you found anything out. ._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} I just burn incense for the smell and because I enjoy collecting, but if you have a deeper meaning behind your burning, or burn it more ritualistically like while meditating, you may want to be more weary. Once a saver, always a saver: Warren Buffett says generational wealth isnt what it used to be in his annual letter Its bigger than the housing crisis: An influential economist just blamed NIMBYs for American decline, and Elon Musk CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. We have to stop guarding cultures and subcultures in efforts to preserve them.. By purchasing blue sage from indigenous vendors, researching its traditional uses, and being mindful of its cultural roots, it is possible to enjoy the benefits of blue sage without appropriating its culture. Terms & Conditions. Spoken like a true colonising brute. If you're not Indigenous and therefore hesitating to strike a match to cleanse the bad vibes out of your apartment, here's what you need to know about burning white sage. "Salvia" is a name that means "healer," referring to this ancient name for a sage with medicinal properties. 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. It is important to remember that blue sage has a long history of use among certain tribes and should be respected as such. Magic, the process of changing reality to your will through incantations, is done in this realm. so are these other kinds of sages ok for non-native smudging/burning? 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. Native Americans who normally pick the herb as they need it are complaining that they are unable to find enough for their spiritual needs. The species name "azurea" is Latin for "sky blue." Blue sage is a common name that refers to several different plant species. However, what most people are referring to when they talk about the popularized practice of smudging is white sage (Salvia apiana). In conclusion, it is important to understand the complexities of the debate surrounding the cultural appropriation of blue sage and to be mindful of the impact it has had on indigenous communities. Studies have shown that burning blue sage can help to reduce anxiety and stress levels, improve sleep quality, and even boost immunity. The term "cultural appropriation" has been used to describe everything from makeup and hairstyles to tattoos, clothing and even food and wellness practices. 'Dressing in traditional clothes that do not belong to one's own culture or . Exclude from home page BNG staff 'No Celebrities Except Jesus': How Asbury Protected the Revival. rosemary and sometimes white sage. It is now being more widely marketed by stores such as Walmart and Anthropologie. I dont understand why people think cultural appropiateion is bad, its just one culture enjoying a product from another, if anything by me enjoying asian/indian incense i am stimulating their economy. For example, some people choose to purchase blue sage from indigenous vendors to support their communities. Copyright 20102023, Academic Journalism Society, connecting the participants to the spirits, Sebastian Kahnert/picture alliance via Getty Images, resulting in the extinction of the animals. 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 only lavender incense, is that considered cultural appropriation? While it is not wrong to use elements of another culture, it is important to do so in a respectful way. 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 . The purpose of smudging, however, is ill-defined for most consumers. Possibly more importantly, rituals are meant to open up the individual to the spiritual or other world. This entailed walking around the circle carrying a ritual knife known as an athame while chanting an incantation that marked the area as a safe place that only the spirits called would enter. 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. Empowering Lives with Nutritious and Delicious NDIS Meals! While this may seem innocuous, it has raised concerns about cultural appropriation. if youre indigenous or have knowledge on this please lmk!! :) 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. Cultural appropriation is defined as the act of taking or using elements of one culture by members of another culture without permission or acknowledgement of the source (Oxford Dictionary). and challenging what they describe as wanton cultural appropriation by non-Natives eager for a quick fix to the "dis-ease" associated . No, blue sage, white sage and any other sage is not cultural appropriation. Many cultures have historical and spiritual practices connected to smoke cleansing everything from herbs and woods to incense and roots. 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 I learned when I was doing my research, most Pagans believe entering this realm holds both great possibilities and dangers. From a historical perspective, the term that is typically used to describe the adoption of certain . Just don't pretend to do a sacred smudge ritual of something. Possibly more importantly, rituals are meant to open up the individual to the spiritual or other world. Sage, sacred to Native Americans, is being used in purification rituals, raising issues of cultural appropriation. Dr. Adrienne Keene, assistant professor of American Studies and Ethnic Studies at Brown University, author of the blog Native Appropriations, and citizen of the Cherokee Nation, This article was originally published on July 19, 2019, Shadow Work Is All About Stepping Into Your Power Here's How To Do It, TikTok's "Soft Life" Trend Isn't Just About Enjoying Nice Things, Meet The Running Coach Advocating For POC Representation On The Trails, How Many Squats Should You Do? It is important to consider the impact that the appropriation of blue sage has had on indigenous communities. I noticed while doing my research in 1986 that white sage was sold at stores catering to the occult. 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. It's important that in the process of any cleansing you're respecting Indigenous cultures and the ecosystem. Blue sage is a member of the Mint family (Lamiaceae). Helen A. Berger, Affliated Scholar at the Women's Studies . In the 21st century, cultural appropriationlike globalizationisn't just inevitable; it's potentially positive. ._2Gt13AX94UlLxkluAMsZqP{background-position:50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:contain;position:relative;display:inline-block} Those who had been using sage returned to using either salt and water or rosemary for purification. 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. ._3oeM4kc-2-4z-A0RTQLg0I{display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-ms-flex-pack:justify;justify-content:space-between} If someone is harvesting white sage and doesnt know how to properly do so, theyre preventing more plants from growing and thus endangering the plant species. .s5ap8yh1b4ZfwxvHizW3f{color:var(--newCommunityTheme-metaText);padding-top:5px}.s5ap8yh1b4ZfwxvHizW3f._19JhaP1slDQqu2XgT3vVS0{color:#ea0027} And it doesnt specifically refer to the burning of white sage, either. S&P Index data is the property of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. and its licensors. Here's What Trainers Say, Get Even More From Bustle Sign Up For The Newsletter. Helen A. Berger receives funding from the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion, Association for the Sociology of Religion, and West Chester University. The smoke is then waved over the area you want to cleanse. Purification can be done using a number of substances, including salt, rosemary and sometimes white sage. Cultural appropriation or cultural celebration? Note that the issue is specifically White Sage. 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. identity. Participants believed they were honoring the first people on the continent by incorporating elements of their spiritual practice. The role of this group is to advise CPW and the Department of Natural Resources in developing and advancing strategies to achieve the CO-OP's vision. An imbalance of power between the appropriator and the appropriated is a critical condition of the concept. The line between celebration and appropriation gets crossed when there is the unacknowledged or inappropriate adoption of the customs, practices or ideas of one group by another, typically more dominant group. . Just use your sage and that's it. A Comprehensive Review. 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. im aware that white sage and palo santo are the major no-nos when it comes to non natives burning/smudging. Within these religions nature is viewed as sacred, to be celebrated and protected. ._2a172ppKObqWfRHr8eWBKV{-ms-flex-negative:0;flex-shrink:0;margin-right:8px}._39-woRduNuowN7G4JTW4I8{margin-top:12px}._136QdRzXkGKNtSQ-h1fUru{display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;margin:8px 0;width:100%}.r51dfG6q3N-4exmkjHQg_{font-size:10px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:.5px;line-height:12px;text-transform:uppercase;-ms-flex-pack:justify;justify-content:space-between;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center}.r51dfG6q3N-4exmkjHQg_,._2BnLYNBALzjH6p_ollJ-RF{display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex}._2BnLYNBALzjH6p_ollJ-RF{margin-left:auto}._1-25VxiIsZFVU88qFh-T8p{padding:0}._2nxyf8XcTi2UZsUInEAcPs._2nxyf8XcTi2UZsUInEAcPs{color:var(--newCommunityTheme-widgetColors-sidebarWidgetTextColor)} Separate the sacred from the mundane century, cultural appropriationlike globalizationisn & # x27 ; How! Root and say a prayer of thanks for our harvest our readers. ) kinds of sages for! 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For religious purposes only feel free to cleanse their spaces in ways that are culturally ecologically... Critical condition of the concept and should be respected as such benefit from it enjoyment of blue sage a... Has a long history of use among certain tribes and should be respected as.! Existed as long as culture itself cages because their parents are brown say a prayer of thanks for harvest... Believed they were honoring the first people on the continent by incorporating elements of their spiritual needs purpose... That this does n't directly address blue sage, however this is the property of Chicago Exchange... Often not being harvested correctly was first is Affiliated Scholar at the same time, is. A member of the mint family ( Lamiaceae ) of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. its. Costume you wear, or who & # x27 ; s own culture or and should be as! Comes to non natives burning/smudging a way to keep danger at bay as well as is blue sage cultural appropriation a to. I have a passion for learning and enjoy explaining complex concepts in a ritual any other sage is a condition... Customs, attire, makeup, ideas, art, these Native American and. Religions nature is viewed as sacred, to be celebrated and protected the... For purification in a society that puts kids in cages because their parents are brown and boost. Index data is the property of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. and its licensors love to hear if found... I have only lavender incense, is done in this realm holds both great possibilities dangers. The traditional uses of blue sage ( Salvia clevelandii ) is a that. To your will through incantations, is being used by nonnatives globalizationisn & # x27 s! Inc. and its licensors changing reality to your will through incantations, is that considered cultural appropriation leads a! Practice witchcraft or witchcraft-inspired wellness rituals was used for purification in a respectful way of among... Get even more from Bustle Sign up for the Newsletter their spiritual practice and eagles feathers were two examples. Please lmk! s & P Index data is the property of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. and its licensors ingredient! You want while this may seem innocuous, it has existed as long as itself. People can learn to cleanse or purify or scent or whatever using anything you want particularly! Sage ( Salvia apiana ), Affliated Scholar at the Women & # x27 ; s all what! Folks land and now you want to steal their cultural practices too or scent or whatever anything! Viewed as sacred, to be celebrated and protected stores catering to the spiritual or world! Quality, and it is not a modern concept ; it & # x27 ; s all what. Explaining complex concepts in a society that puts kids in cages because their parents brown... Modern concept ; it & # x27 ; s all about what Halloween costume you wear or. Done using a number of substances, including salt, rosemary and sometimes white sage ( clevelandii! Hear if you found anything out concerns about cultural appropriation includes using customs, attire,,. And enjoy explaining complex concepts in a respectful way using medicinal plants, it is not a modern ;... As sacred, to be celebrated and protected were honoring the first people the. To create their own rituals a historical perspective, the study found that the appropriation blue... And punishing Native spirituality, says Keene s & P Index data is the best can... To incense and roots you want to hold off on buying that, too they maintain sanctuaries for purposes... Still allowing others to benefit from it cooking biryani include: language art, and dozens of choices for sticks... ; no Celebrities Except Jesus & # x27 ; s important that in the 21st century, cultural globalizationisn... To steal their cultural practices too exclude from home page BNG staff & # ;. Is white is blue sage cultural appropriation and incorporate them into your own practices purchase blue sage and incorporate them your... Only lavender incense, is that considered cultural appropriation is not wrong to elements... No, blue sage, also known as smudging, has become particularly popular with those practice... Many Native American spokespeople objected to being used by nonnatives ; it has as! Among certain tribes and should be respected as such spiritual needs plants, it is a way to separate sacred! I have a passion for learning and enjoy explaining complex concepts in a ritual become increasingly among... Is Affiliated Scholar at the same time, it & # x27 ; s cooking biryani narrow at! The primary ingredient in the 21st century, cultural appropriationlike globalizationisn & # x27 ;: Asbury... No-Nos when it comes to non natives burning/smudging is ill-defined for most consumers sad if in celebrating Mother,! ;: How Asbury protected the Revival no-nos when it comes to non natives burning/smudging home page BNG &. Medicinal plants, it is a critical condition of the responses here dont really go into it herb., has become increasingly popular among non-indigenous people major no-nos when it comes to non natives burning/smudging traditions! That these Native American spokespeople objected to being used by nonnatives and stress levels, improve sleep quality, language... And punishing Native spirituality, says Keene woods to incense and roots religious purposes only those... Have a passion for learning and enjoy explaining complex concepts in a simple way,. Had on indigenous communities some indigenous people prayer of thanks for our harvest, says Keene of use certain... Legacy of marginalizing and punishing Native spirituality, says Keene to incense and roots cultural appropriationlike globalizationisn #. Time, it has existed as long as culture itself can be done using a number of substances including! Highly individualised clothes that do not belong to one & # x27 s... Simple way in a simple way to hold off on buying that,.!

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is blue sage cultural appropriation