:ooo. 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. It just hints at naive American. Isn't that cultural appropriation? Erkert said it is important to acknowledge that yogas origins are religious and that through its spread, The te in namaste means to you, Deshpande says. A ruana (possibly from Spanish ruana ragged or Quechua ruana textile) is a poncho-style outer garment native to the Colombian and Venezuelan Andes. The greeting how are you is normally not with literal meaning, the expected response is I am fine. Ponchos have a long and rich history and have been used by many different cultures throughout the world. A Step-by-Step Guide for Musicians. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. What about international shipping, or just people that are based in the U.S. already? With its timeless style, this timeless garment is a great way to stay warm and dry throughout the cold, wet months. Ponchos have been used by the Native American peoples of the Andes and Patagonia since pre-Hispanic times, from places now under the territory of Ecuador, Colombia, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, and Argentina and are now considered typical South American garments. Plus, the difference between cultural appropriation and appreciation can be thin; after all, why copy something if you don't love it? Quite honestly, I think I seen the same pattern on Xmas sweaters. In modern times, however, the poncho has become a fashionable item and is now widely available in stores across the globe. Rock on. Exotifying and commercializing food of another culture, thus removing it of it cultural history, can also lead to people reducing entire communities into a monolithic cuisine. The ponchos look and feel can be balanced by skinny jeans. However, cultural appropriation isnt necessarily limited to people in the public eye. Exploitation can take many forms, but in most cases it involves the exploitation of resources and labor by another culture. As in, somebody developed certain techniques to make clothes, and others took it and made it better through the centuries, and one tribe conquered another, and another conquered that one, and centuries as empires raised and fell that among other ideas were taken and used. Dr. Kelly H. Chong, professor and chairperson in the department of sociology at the University of Kansas, spoke to Bustle over email about what cultural appropriation is and the consequences it can have. What is a poncho? Yeah, offensive. The poncho is fine. What do clothes symbolize? At this time in Mexican history, calaveras are considered a significant part of culture due to the tradition of remembering deceased loved ones. I have a passion for learning and enjoy explaining complex concepts in a simple way. Collard trousers, hoop earrings, and an oversized flannel shirt are typically worn incholas. It also just seems very on-the-nose given other things that have been stolen from Native Americans. I love pancakes, New York City, thrifting, and bulldogs. How the Beauty Industry is Promoting Sustainability, Dressing for the Occasion: How to Choose the Right Watch to Wear, Stay Dry And Stylish: The Benefits Of Wearing A Poncho, Stay Stylish And Comfortable During Pregnancy With A Poncho, The Timeless Charm Of The Cloth Poncho: Versatility Comfort And Style For Any Occasion, The Best Way To Wear A Single Strap Dress. Ponchos over shorts look fantastic in the summer, even if theyre a little out of style. It is also a great way to add another layer of warmth and style to any outfit. In a piece for Mic, author Jamilah King states, The problem, of course, is that it's unclear whether the Mexican women who handed over their recipes ever got anything in return. Ollie Millington / Getty Images. Clothing habits vary from culture to culture because each has its own distinct style of clothing. They may not be able to keep you warm or dry at all. If you were wearing headdress, that would be an example of bad . Mexico, like the United States and Canada, has a habit of holding a gesture (a handshake, a squeeze of the arm, and a hug) much longer than Americans and Canadians. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Proudly powered by WordPress Theyre designed to complement outfits and look fashionable with jeans and a turtleneck. You can also wear boots such as cowboy boots or suede boots. Under the most common definition, pocho or the feminine pocha is slang for a Mexican American who is neither one nor the other, who speaks no Spanish or speaks it poorly, who is adrift between two cultures, or lives comfortably in both. Try wearing a long sleeve shirt, t-shirt, dress, or even a hoodie underneath your poncho for extra warmth on those cold days. All rights reserved. Cultural appropriation, defined Culture refers to the traditions, customs, beliefs, and practices of any given ethnic, racial, or religious group. Every Argentinian is going to be like "look, a poncho!" Ponchos are still a great choice as a replacement for a jacket when the weather outside is not freezing. They may not have the ability to keep you warm or dry. It is important to understand the history of the poncho and the potential implications of wearing it before making a judgment on the appropriateness of the garment. (Note: Is this article not meeting your expectations? By subscribing to this BDG newsletter, you agree to our. Cultural appropriation is more along the lines of you taking a significant, often ceremonial point of culture, and using it for your own needs. And especially thank you for the correction. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. But you seem careful/respectful about it so I say go for it. Are Ponchos Cultural Appropriation? A ruana is like a poncho as that it is made of a single piece of fabric with a hole for the head; the difference is that there is a slit down the front from neck to hem. You should give it directly to them rather than waiting for them to give it to you. The poncho is both comfortable and stylish, thanks to its center opening that allows the head to pass through comfortably. On the other hand, if you learn, explore, and understand a . For many indigenous communities, the poncho is seen as a symbol of pride and identity, and its use is closely tied to their culture and traditions. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Excuse my ignorance. Men in families are expected to be the head of the household, to provide for the family, and to make decisions. The primary problem lies in the fact while black women receive cultural repercussions, like being fired from their job, for wearing dreadlocks or braids, women who arent black can sport the same hairstyle and be praised for being cool and edgy. As Zeba Blay writes in this piece for HuffPost, White women are able to wear black hairstyles without the stigma of actually being black., Often used as a counterargument are black women who wear blonde weaves or straighten their hair. In recent years, the topic of cultural appropriation has become increasingly prominent in conversations about fashion, art, and music. as far as I'm aware, there is no particular 'significance' of the poncho in any kind of rituals or holidays or what have you, nor any 'rules' to them, and so you simply wearing a poncho would be perfectly in line with what the thing was created for (to just be worn.) You can either make them for warmth or to keep you dry. For some ethnic and . The comments below have not been moderated. What is the cultural significance of the ruana? Celebrities have used chola culture motifs to create fashion statements. The fight against sexism and machismo will require a multi-pronged approach from both men and women, as well as government efforts. What are 4 examples of cultural appropriation? My name is Kendra and Im a fashion obsessed, city lovin girl. They may not have the ability to keep you warm or dry. Required fields are marked *. Theorists argue that cultural appropriation 'fetishises' and that a deeply significant societal object can be reduced to an 'exotic plaything' which demeans it. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. It's been going on for hundreds of thousands of years. Unlock new opportunities and expand your reach by joining our authors team. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. We will also look at the perspectives of those who argue that wearing a poncho is not necessarily a racist act. In a nutshell, it all comes down to how you wear it. Hanbok is a traditional South Korean dress with colorful patterns. They're designed to complement outfits and look fashionable with jeans and a turtleneck. Clothing should be worn in a variety of ways based on gender, body type, social status, and location. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. By doing so, we can help to ensure that our use of ponchos and other clothing items is respectful and not appropriative. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Is it appropriation to wear a Mexican dress? In appropriation, two cultures combine to blend together, such as when two groups share food and customs. As long as you know your reasons for needing a poncho, youll be able to pick the right one regardless of style. The consequences of cultural appropriation can have insidious implications regardless of the intentions of the appropriator. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. As Rachel Kuo writes for Everyday Feminism, when people think culture can seemingly be understood with a bite of food, thats where it gets problematic., Music and cultural appropriation go way, way back. It is perfectly acceptable to wear a ruana, as it is a fashionable and practical garment. On an individual level, it can be difficult to determine what is cultural appropriation versus cultural exchange versus appreciation. Misrepresentation occurs in the fourth form, when one culture is inaccurately portrayed by another, frequently contributing to stereotypes and undermining the cultures worth. Mexican cultural appropriation is a controversial issue, as it involves people taking elements of Mexican culture without proper respect or acknowledgement. reinforce stereotypes. Cultural appropriation at music festivals like Coachella can be seen in decorative bindis, headdresses, henna, and other accessories deemed exotic or trendy. This is because it can be viewed as a form of cultural theft, where elements of one culture are taken without permission or understanding of their meaning. Women, on the other hand, are expected to be submissive, nurturing, and supportive of their husbands. The feathers are the only thing that's remotely naive American. Culture minister Alejandra Frausto published an open letter earlier this month demanding an explanation as to why Marant's maison was selling garments based on motifs with documented origins in Mexico. DrPlatypus1 1 yr. ago. Defined as the use of a cultures symbols, artifacts, genres, rituals, or technologies by members of another culture, cultural appropriation can be placed into 4 categories: Cultural appropriation happens when a dominant culture adopts elements of a minority culture without respect or appreciation for that culture.