#sary womens halloween costumes

[masksandcapes1]

Scary Womens Halloween Costumes - Mask & Capes

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[tipsycad147]

Smudging vs Smoke-Cleansing

Is it Cultural Appropriation? Smudging vs Smoke Cleansing History and Info

A topic that has been hot on the radar in the Pagan/ new age community for a few years is Smudging and Smoke Cleansing. Is it a closed practice? Who can practice it? If we can’t smudge what can we use? If I’m interested in a culture and their beliefs is it still considered appropriation?

And what is Appropriation? This discussion has been buzzing around the spiritual and herbal communities for a while now. What has become a mainstream pop culture “wellness tool” is infringing on certain cultures and causing traditional herbs to be incorrectly over harvested, slowly driving them out of the landscape and potentially out of existence.

There are a million questions that can be asked about is this(plant,ritual,invocation,technique, other insert here) okay for me to use? Or how do I know what herbs I can burn? We’re going to touch on some of these today as well as ways you can connect closer to your own blood-line and being mindful of cultures in the future.

Appropriation Vs Appreciation

I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve been fascinated with other cultures since I was a kid. Native American, Celtic, Egyptian; Books on Cleopatra or the Native Tribes were checked out of the library constantly. And while I feel a connection to these groups around the world and their practices, I have to ask myself honestly, “Am I being appreciative or am I cherry picking the things I like?”

In the simplest of terms, when a person “cherry picks” or sifts through someone else’s culture and history for the pieces they want to use, that’s where cultural appropriation starts. You’ve seen the arguments that start online over Halloween costumes, white women wearing dreads or saris and much more.

Much like when people take a wild animal from it’s home and post it on social media for kicks, it messes with not only the animal its-self(potentially hurting or killing it) but also the ecosystem it came from and appropriation is very similar.

You can’t take a tradition from a culture( like smudging and smoke cleansing) and use it to gain likes on Instagram without some form of fallout happening(karmatically or otherwise). When cultures are misrepresented, we as a non-POC try to force POC into a mold WE created that is nothing like what those people actually are.

What does it all mean?

First let’s separate what Appreciation and Appropriation actually mean. Appreciation is when someone seeks to understand and learn about another culture in an effort to broaden their perspective and connect with others cross-culturally. Appropriation on the other hand, is simply taking one aspect of a culture that is not your own and using it for your own personal interest.

So a lot of us in the new age community are striving for appreciation.We just have to be mindful of our sources,if we are taught by an actual person in that community and if we are being respectful to that culture and tradition. There are people that are staunch believers that if you aren’t from that culture you should have nothing to do with their traditions.( IE buying and wearing Hopi or Native jewelry,the “Irish for a day” on St. Patrick’s day,wearing dreads or viking braids and more)

My personal belief is that leads into a lot of knowledge being lost and connections with other cultures missed. I feel you should be very respectful of cultures you would like to learn about and ethically buy your supplies from reliable sources and it’s better if you have a hereditary connection to the culture whose traditions you are using.(But claiming to be native american just because there might be .0087% native american in your blood from really far back doesn’t really count.) But in the end it will be up to you on how specific you want to be.

So What is the Difference between Smudging and Smoke Cleansing?

When you start to see how much or a worldwide reach Paganism and the New age community has you’ll find there are traditions that are similar across each culture. Smoke cleansing is one of the most similar rituals worldwide(hence why many think it’s interchangeable with smudging), differentiating in each community only by the plants used and the ritual it’s being used for.

One of the earliest uses of smoke cleansing was in France. Rosemary and thyme were burned in hospital and sickrooms during wartime and times of serious illness to burn out any bad energy as well as clear the air of bacteria and pathogens.

DID YOU KNOW? Herbal Smoke clears pathogens and bacteria in the air by as much as 94%. Asia still uses the smoke of mugwort for tissue healing after childbirth and for other menstrual issues.

Other records of smoke cleansing date back to Ancient China, Egypt in 1500 BCE and more. Incense as offerings for the gods were the most common use. In Asia specifically, buildings were erected solely for the purpose of burning incense all the way until the 12th century. In Japan, samurai warriors would sometimes perfume their helmets with incense as a gesture towards those who may decapitate them in battle.So as you can tell burning herbs and using the smoke has been around for a while.

So what makes Smudging so different?

While it hasn’t been officially called smudging until recent times, the art and ceremony of using white sage and sweet-grass to bless and charge each member of the circle used by Native American/Indigenous people has been around for quite some time.

While the secrets of the tribes have not been put out before the public, what we do know about smudging and the ceremonies using them involves a lot of experience and wisdom by the elders.

The term “smudging” was not popularized until the late 1900’s when it also became married to the specific Native North American practice, which often involved the use of sage, sweet-grass, cedar, tobacco, a feather, and a sacred dish, often a shell.

It was a form of not just “cleansing” but a kind of offering or invocation of sorts (the details of which are considered legally bound and protected intellectual property that belongs to and on the reservations that practice it) that can’t be performed without drawing attention to yourself from the spiritual realm.

Smudging should never be performed without experience or guidance from someone who had experience in the spiritual world, since performing such sacred rituals incorrectly could anger the spirits and bring forth negative results.

Traditionally smudging was used as a “pre-ceremony/ritual”, It does cleanse and purify people but not in the same way we use smoke cleansing. Many times using smudging, chanting, stories and dancing were used to connect with the spirit world and call spirits forth while smoke cleansing in modern times is used to cast out negative energy and spirits.

The Incrimination and Struggle of the Native Americans and their Spiritual Practices

A lot of the struggle with trying to not appropriate and mainstream the Native American’s culture is realizing that when you are doing smudging because it’s “trendy”( look at the issues going around on witchtok right now with the cursing the Fae and the Moon crap) you are insulting The People.

A big part of the Native American’s history is they were incriminated, imprisoned and hurt for the very practices being flaunted and playing around with. Even today, many Indigenous people are fighting for approval of smudging and saging in hospitals as part of their healing rituals and have to fight for the rights on their history and culture tooth and nail.

“It is exceptionally ironic, given that after colonization, it was not until the passage of the 1978 American Indian Religious Freedom Act that Native people in the United States were legally permitted to practice their traditional spirituality.”

Since the arrival and colonization by the Europeans and other white settlers, Native people have faced monumental obstacles to the free exercise of their spiritual practices, including death.

So if you have the chance to be allowed in and observe, then definitely do it! It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity and you’ll learn quite a bit. Just make sure you treat all parts of any ceremony with respect and an open mind. ( if it seems like I’m ranting a bit i apologize, I’ve become quite enthralled in this topic recently)

The Over-harvesting and Destruction of the Earth

One of the other things that sets Smudging apart from smoke cleansing is what is used. Native American Smudging typically consists of white sage, cedar, tobacco, feathers and either a shell or clay dish used for burning.

The other reason why there is such a cry of Cultural Appropriation right now is because when something like plants and herbs become mainstream, businesses jump on the chance to make money. And when that money is made from something grown from the earth, the people extorting it don’t take the best care in how they get a hold of it,as long as they have something to sell.

Right now White Sage, and Palo Santo(a holy wood from the Amazon and South America and Peru) are endangered due to over harvesting and not harvesting properly.

DID YOU KNOW? Most cultures that harvest Palo Santo only gather the fallen branches, They never take from the living tree its self.

When white sage especially has so many medicinal uses as well as energy clearing abilities, losing this plant would be very hurtful to our planet and in turn to ourselves. As a Wiccan, as a witch, my first loyalty is to Nature, because without nature we would not survive.

Always be Mindful of your sources no matter what it is you are buying.

So using ethical and reliable sources, growing supplies yourself or being frugal with what you already have are all good ways of being mindful of the environment. (For white sage especially, if you can’t grow it yourself,make sure your sources are Native tribes, or try a different plant. Garden sage is an abundant replacement)

There are some who proclaim that white sage should only be used by Native Americans, I feel that since most of the responsibility of caring for and harvesting white sage falls on them(there are rituals and things to be done and said in a specific manner when harvesting for smudging ritual use),therefore they have the most rights to it. But! As long as it’s not being over-marketed(IE if you decide to grow your own instead of buying at a New Age store or other trendy shop) then other’s can use it too. But again this will fall into your personal opinion.

So What Sets Smoke Cleansing Apart?

Smoke Cleansing has had many names over the centuries but always boils down to the same thing. Burning wood, herbs plants or resin and using the smoke produced to charge, energize and cleanse a person, location animal or tool. Cultures worldwide have used some variation for centuries.

History of Smoke Cleansing

Early European peasants used burning herbs to cover the smell of farm animals and to smoke out bugs in homes and clothing.

France used rosemary and thyme in hospitals to clean the air.(Rosemary and mugwort are really good herbs for when someone is sick in your home.)

The Scottish culture has it’s own version of Smudging and Smoke Cleansing they use called Saining. Typically using Juniper and Rowan,or the elements like fire and water, Saining is used to purify a person, place or animal. One of the reasons Bonfires feature so heavily during the festivals is because everyone jumping the fire in celebration was the easiest way to cleanse the entire community in a short period of time.(Beltaine and Samhain are the most well known festivals).

For a really in depth discussion on Saining check out Cailleach’s Herbarium for more info and details on each type of Saining.

Egypt is one of the cultures known for their heavy use of incense. Many temples burned different types of incense all day long, each on associated with a different god or goddess.

Asia as a whole probably holds the record of the earliest recording of incense and smoke cleansing. Buddhism, Taoism and Shinto temples were prominent in their use of incense. Thick coiled incense hung from the ceiling, incense sticks held vertically over a person during prayer and a form of incense set horizontally in a plate for the ashes to fall( similar to today’s modern version of incense sticks) are all variation developed and used during this time.

Even Catholicism acknowledges the power of smoke cleansing. Frankincense and Myrrh were 2 of the gifts brought by the Three Wise Men at the birth of Jesus. They were considered a sign of wealth and abundance. In modern times, Catholic Mass uses swinging braziers held by clergy men to waft incense smoke made from the resin of Frankincense and Myrrh during prayers.

So Who Can Use Smoke Cleansing?

Smoke Cleansing can by done by anyone and used for just about anything. The most common use is to cleanse a home or sacred space, and to purify people and tools. Using woods, herbs and resins, there a numerous combinations that can be made and used.

Research your family’s history and see if you can find a herbal smoke blend connected to that culture. Celts use a lot of Juniper and rowan wood. The Greeks used thyme, lavender or rosemary. There are countless combinations you can make, just be sure to research what plants can be burned and what can’t!

The process of Smudging and Smoke Cleansing look very similar. The main differences are the intention, the herbs and how you approach the working space. Both share similarities such as wafting smoke across a person’s body and around a room which is where a lot of the confusion about all of this came from in the first place.

How to Smoke Cleanse

When smoke cleansing you can use loose herbs, resin or a herb bundle or “stick”. I recommend using a fire proof bowl or Abalone shell no matter what type you plan to use just for catching any embers that may fall.

Start with getting a good amount of smoke billowing and then starting at your feet, pass the smoke over your entire body front and back(and anyone else who is participating with you). Any tools you’ll be using, like a feather for pushing the smoke you will cleanse next. After that you enter the space you are cleansing.

Ritual Intentions decides which way you go.

Now depending on what your intention is, going around the room Counterclockwise from the door will remove negative energies and spirits( potentially all spirits so if you have a spirit you want to stay there they may get confused or upset).

Going Clockwise encourages energy to come into that space, whether for cleansing, a spell or empowering before a ritual.

If you are using Smoke Cleansing to remove negative energy from your home, you want to start on one end of your home and work your way through each room pushing it towards and open window or door. If you can, opening a window in each room helps but at the worst case, push it all to your front or back door and push it outside.

After that you can either extinguish your embers or let it smolder by our outside your front door.( If you are using pre-made sage or herb bundles, break them apart and only use a few leaves at a time, this makes it last longer and keeps from wasting it) Once the embers are cool, dump or bury the ashes outside in some way. Some people let a breeze carry it away, others dump them into water and some people just toss it out. Its up to you as to how you want to do that.

It’s probably a good idea to know WHAT herbs you can burn BEFORE you go and try to burn them. These are some of the more common Woods, Herbs and Resins used for Smoke Cleansing that can be used.

Woods

Birch: This tree is very protective, not only in the visible world, but with unseen energies as well. Birch holds strength over new beginnings and drives out negative energies.

Cedar: The pines from the tree make for a great alternative to sage. Cedar is known for its healing and protection qualities. As it clears the negativity, it brings in the good spirits. As a tree, cedar is great for grounding.

Juniper: When burned, juniper will ward off airborne illnesses. It is cleansing, purifying, and healing.

Palo Santo: Holy Wood, which is what Palo Santo translates to, is used for the deepest of healing. *Get from reliable sources to keep from over-harvesting

Pine: As an evergreen, it is forever green. Pine is full of life, abundance, growth, prosperity, immortality, and renewal. It offers protection from a cycling process or embraces a cycling process. Your intention is your choice, either with growth or stagnation. Make sure your intention is true through time.

Willow: Wood used for burning has additional qualities as it comes from a tree. Willow is much more healing and protective. It brings a regenerative process into view or existence and holds a destructive strength, yet that destruction will only bring forth growth and renewal.

Resins

Frankincense: Calming and connective, frankincense sets your mind to embrace spirit or what is unseen. It is purifying and capable of washing away the ill that affects thought/mind.

Copal: This resin will help you bring in strength, motion, and energy. Copal is used for purification, protection, and opens spiritual portals. This is often substituted for frankincense as they have a similar scent and come from the same tree family.

Myrrh: This resin will help you embrace what is true and honest. Myrrh fills you with strength, courage, and awareness while helping you become mindful of your potential.

Pine Resin: This resin aids in speed of action or thought. It holds the ability to sustain determination over time. Pine resin has an immortality aspect, is purifying and cleansing.

Herbs

Lavender: Most of us are aware of the calming effects of lavender. It relaxes our minds to allow us to key into our psychic ability while deepening our meditation.

Mugwort: This herb is burned to place you in a trance-like state. Known for its assistance in divination, Mugwort is a favorite for people who meditate and wish to create a sacred space. This herb is great for dreaming and those who wish to work in the in-between worlds.

Mullein: A unique herb that it is said to shine light upon the darkness. It brings divine energy into reality while holding strength in both the visible world and the unseen world. Mullein brings strength to breath. It feeds life and understands change.

Rosemary: As it clears the negativity, rosemary brings a sense of calmness. Rosemary is known for clearing the mind until your mind can remember things. It’s a great herb for dream recall.An Old saying for Rosemary is ” Rosemary Remembers.” speaking of Rosemary’s ability to help with memory and dreams.

Sage: This herb is known for its antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. Not only does sage clear the negative energy, but it removes most bacteria from the air. Sage is a great bug repellent. Metaphysically, sage is known for its healing, cleansing, and protection properties. Sage has several varieties including White Sage, Blue Sage and Common Garden Sage. *Please source your White sage sustainably.

Thyme: This herb offers strength and calming of the mind. While clearing, cleansing, and purifying, burning thyme will disrupt air traveling illnesses. Thyme is known to bring courage, strength, and healing. Use thyme to invoke spirits.

Grasses

Sweetgrass: Used to bring sweet, positive energy or spirits (ancestors, angels, guides) into your space. It is particularly powerful when combined in practice with sage, as sage clears out old and negative energy and the sweetgrass brings in positive to fill the void that is left.*Please purchase your sweetgrass from reliable Native sources.

Some other plants you can use include:

Aspen

Bay

Catnip

Fir

Lemongrass

Lilac

Peppermint

Rose

Spruce

I’m sure there are many more you can use(dragon’s blood, sandalwood etc) but that’s a good start for now.

Ways to burn herbs

Smoke wand/herb bundle/sage stick(all different names for the same thing basically)

Loose herbs or resin on a charcoal briquette

Incense

Campfire

Herbal Cigarette( using safe to ingest herbs, you can make a rolled cigarette for dream-work, medicinal uses and more)

Other ways of cleansing without using smoke

Herbal Cleansing Spray(use your favorite herbs or essential oils mixed with water)

Asperging( I had never heard of this one before, apparently it’s the witches equivalent of holy water. Using a salt water use it to cleanse objects or sprinkle around a space to cleanse and bless it.)

Sound( sing, chant, bang a pot with a spoon, use a bell or a singing bowl. If you’re trying to clear a particularly stubborn spirit out, yell at them to GTFO works well.)

Sweeping( a witches besom is used to sweep around a room and out the door to clear negativity as well as dirt and debris)

Sunlight/Moonlight( charging tools, crystals and water all fall under cleansing)

Crystal Grids( Selenite is a good crystal to cleanse the surrounding area and recharge other crystals. Setting the crystals up in a grid helps to cover a wider area with more power. Black Tourmaline, Lodestone and Smoky Quartz are other good crystals to use.)

Salt Bowls( Place the tool or object you want to cleanse in salt or place salt bowls around the room you would like to cleanse.Leave for 24-72 hours.)

There are tons more like tornado jars, using onions and casting a Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram(That’s a mouthful…) so feel free to research it up. Willow at Flying the Hedge has all of these and more listed with explanations.

Also check out my posts on all the beginner witchcraft we’ve covered so far for more ideas. Find them via the Blog Page.

What are your thoughts on Smudging vs Smoke Cleansing?

So there you have it! I probably could have covered this a lot more in depth but definitely do some research and see for yourselves!Is there anything you didn’t quite understand? Do you feel that smudging is appropriation or is it being blown out of proportion? I’d love to hear your thoughts and questions so leave them in the comments section!

P.s. If you would like more information on smudging / smoke-cleansing check out Rebekah’s 4 part post at Holistic Practitioner.

[josephqunnies]

HI SO I GREW UP ON BOLLYWOOD MOVIES AND I LOVE THE CULTURES AND LANGUAGES AND I WAS WONDERING IF WEARING A SARI (not for costume or halloween purposes) WOULD IT BE CULTURE APPROPRIATION? BECAUSE SO MANY ARAB WOMEN WEAR SARIS OR INDIAN CLOTHINGS FOR WEDDINGS AND RAMADAN (some are half indians or have indian relatives) AND I DONT KNOW IF ITS OFFENSIVE OR NOT?! IM NOT SCREAMING I AM JUST CURIOUS AND HAVE BEEN WANTING TO ASK THIS SINCE FOREVER BUT NEVER KNEW WHO ILY

No, it’s not cultural appropriation. I have many non Indian friends that gets get dressed up in Indian wear around Diwali and Holi etc along with wedding. If it were for Halloween purposes then that’s a no no.

[blakebecks-blog]

golden goose sneakers handcrocheted

Sari is the most popular women wear that if wrapped properly can turn heads around. First, I sprayed the hair as I like to do, just to give the hair some memory. This equipment involves steam generators and is enclosed and prefabricated. For example, dress conservatively if you work with clients in conservative businesses such as banking.

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[songketalliance]

Cultural Appropriation in the Brunei Context: Bollywood Night

by Haley B in collaboration with Teah Abdullah

‘Cultural appropriation’--a term I first came into contact with on Tumblr. One angry voice shared the experience of what she felt like being of Indian heritage seeing the likes of Iggy Azalea in India, donning their cultural costume and dancing around to the beat of her song 'Bounce'.

This was an example of cultural appropriation--of a person from a powerful and dominant culture assuming the cultural heritage of minorities or others, for one instance, with no regard of the human experience of being a part of these cultures. Among the human experience includes the oppression they face merely by being who they are. The person may not be doing it out of malice, but the celebration of another culture may be done wrongly or lacking in sensitivity. At least, this is the prominent belief in the Western everyday definition of what ‘cultural appropriation’ is—where Indians, for example, are bullied by ethnicity, mocked for their bindi and henna use, but the reaction is opposite when a white person embodies it.

I empathised with this person’s plight. Having lived away from Brunei for more than five years being an Asian Muslim woman i.e. a minority identity in UK and Australia, I could imagine why she would be upset about Azalea’s misuse of the Indian culture. My experience as a minority afforded me the imagery but I cannot insult her experience by saying I knew what she was feeling.

Maybe because in the usual Muslim stereotype, I as a Bruneian didn't quite fit the bill. Maybe during that time, I just didn’t know better. Maybe I ignored it because I've never really been made to recognise my cultural identity--you grow up exposed to white culture, speaking the language, absorbing the pop culture--you end up thinking you're white too.

Growing up as part of the Malay-Muslim majority in Brunei, I was exposed to the attitudes a majority of Malays have against people we perceive as others. The word “Kaling”, whatever the origin of it actually is, has become a derogatory term in our everyday vernacular. My observation of its use was validated by fellow Bruneians have always been to impress this sense of superiority against Indians. "Eh K jua banar" a common statement I would hear whenever Indians exhibited any incompetency in their work, whether they are in a kedai runcit or treating patients in a hospital. "Jangan majal macam K" is another one. Sometimes the K-word is even substituted with the emoticon of the man with a turban on Whatsapp; it's like our racism has found its way to progress proportionately to our technological advancements.

I know these are troublesome realities of our world, and one that I am unwilling to accept. In my everyday life, I am conscious of the notion of cultural appropriation and the toxicity of racism.

So what did one who was as "aware" as I was do when presented with a work function titled "Bollywood night?"

I participated in the departmental dance competition.

I didn't sign up for an evening with this title... and I'm a new employee. I didn't want to be spoilsport and reject this—that's okay right? I’m going to be conscious of my Malay privilege and racism, right? I’ll tread carefully, right?

On the night itself, I put on a Salwar Kameez and sat quietly as my make-up artist stuck beads on my forehead as a bindi. Beads, as in beads you’d sew onto your baju kurung. Beads, as in beads for decoration of things. Beads, as in beads for crafting. Beads, as in: absolutely not a bindi.

I had told the make-up artist that I didn’t want to embody an Indian. I wanted to come to the evening as a Bruneian celebrating an Indian culture—from my Indian colleagues to its popular culture. I had assumed we were on the same level: me, thinking that she understood what ‘cultural appropriation’ was, and her, knowing exactly what I wanted.

But I didn’t do anything to get rid of the beads from my forehead. I told her I looked like Sailormoon as if to cancel the exoticism.

The make-up lady was so nice that I couldn't possibly start that tirade.

Me. The person performing for a Bollywood night. Dua kali lima.

The night came upon us like a floating cloud, unassuming and normal. Normal because everybody dressed up for Bollywood night—everybody dressed up according to their takes of what “Bollywood” would mean. Women wore whatever they could fashion into a bindi; a bindi-passing. Men wore kurtas, some just wore longer shirts; kurta-passing.  

We did our dance and sat in the audience. There was a real sense of ick now within me as the night wore on—there were so many wrongs, and over and over I tried to justify that I looked like Sailormoon, that my Indian colleagues were okay with this, and that the group who named themselves ‘Curry’ just did it for laughs. So, it’s okay, right? Justifications valid?

And yet…

What were we all doing? I looked around me, at the Malays in their glitzy saris and tall turbans. I was a part of this mass cultural appropriation; assuming the role of the "dominant" culture in our pseudo-celebration of other people's cultures. We didn’t do this out of malice, but so many dirty and disrespectful things came out of it as a result. I pacified my guilt, numbing myself, cheering like a maniac because it was our Indian friend's turn to perform. Finally, the only OKAY thing about the whole night.

I stayed in bed the next morning, mulling in the wake of my transgressions. There were so many opportunities where I could've done better. I could've said no to the beads. I could’ve slapped some wrists with the racist terms used as group names. I could’ve said no to begin with.

Sure, perhaps culture appropriation isn't as obvious as Westerners randomly putting on Saris for LOLs or posing as a terrorist for Arabian night or Halloween. There is a complexity that can be weighed in with reference to the Malay culture where influences are drawn from the Indian, Chinese and Javanese cultures, hence cultural appropriation is trickier to think about for us. However, to quote my editor: cultural appropriation may be complex—but racism isn't.

And the theme of Bollywood night encourages racism because, without a doubt, there will be people who will still look down on Indians after the night ends; there will be people who misuses the evening by relying on stereotypes; and there will be people, including myself, who’d use faux-bindi or kurta to justify their costume as true to the culture. Most importantly, the person who picked themes like these are usually Malay. It is us entering a territory that isn’t ours without permission or invitation.

It’s like witnessing a person using an ambuyat as a play toy instead of treating it like rezeki.

Which is why I’m calling for a stop to evenings like Bollywood Nights or Arabian Nights. Pick other themes, because there are so many to choose from: superheroes, kampong night, an evening of glamour, pajama night. Dress like a Muppet if you must!

This experience led me back to this verse in the Quran:

"O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another..." [49:13]

And according to Socrates' description, "I know one thing: that I know nothing".

Seeking knowledge is an infinite process, there will never be a time for you to absolutely know another person; there will never come a time where you know exactly what another person goes through living their identities. To assume another person's cultural identity is to also say: I know what it's like to be you.

But you don't. And you never will. And to assume so is to remove a person from their human experience hence removing them from your definition of humanity—effectively, to place them as 'other'.  I can appreciate another culture, but when there is deep racism integrated in our blood towards those of Indian origins, can we ever guarantee something as ‘Bollywood night’ be free of prejudice, even if it isn’t meant to be malicious?

by Haley B in collaboration with Teah Abdullah

Interested in contributing to Songket Alliance? E-mail us at hi@songketalliance.com with your ideas or article.

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[lindyhunt]

How to Not Culturally Appropriate on Halloween

GIF

A friend of a friend is having a dilemma. She loves Halloween. It’s her favourite holiday. And this year, she wants to celebrate by dressing up like her favourite celebrity: Nicki Minaj.

For context: she loves Nicki, has seen her in concert many, many times, worships her aesthetic, can stumble her way through most of her trickier verses. She’s procured the fake nails, the blonde centre-parted wig, and, bless her, a padded ass.

You know where I’m going with this, of course. She’s white. A well-meaning white girl, living in a small town, wanting to venerate her favourite artist. “But it’s a gesture of respect,” she says. “But I’m her biggest fan,” she says. “It’s appreciation, not appropriation.”

You’d think we’d be past this, and yet. As Nicki herself told the New York Times about the seemingly unchecked practice of cultural appropriation — including many white artists who continue to cop her own looks, fashion, and mannerisms — “Come on, you can’t want the good without the bad. If you want to enjoy our culture and our lifestyle… then you should also want to know what affects us, what is bothering us, what we feel is unfair to us.”

Cultural appropriation is a power play. It’s members of the dominant culture cherry-picking elements of a marginalized culture to use as playthings, without an understanding of their true value, while continuing the systemic oppression of that group. And rarely is it more prevalent than on Halloween, when every white chick with a Navajo bedspread from Urban Outfitters gets it into her head to craft herself a feather headdress and show up to the kegger doing her best impression of Pocahontas. Many people still feel that this holiday gives everyone carte blanche to amass as many facepalm moments as possible, from the merely misguided to the downright offensive and cruel.

So as we count down the pumpkin spice lattes between us and All Hallows, let’s go over it again: here’s how not to be a culturally-appropriating asshole this Halloween.

“I got my hair braided when I was 10 at Club Med in Cancun and all of my friends were super jealous. That’s basically cultural heritage, right?” Incorrect, wrong, “birthday braids” are not a thing, please do not attempt to harangue your hair into a style created by women of colour (who are still routinely denied professional opportunities because of their natural hair).

“I watched Lion on three separate flights and cried really hard every single time!” Me too! Dev Patel is very hot! Did you know a bindi is worn to denote a sacred connection from your third eye chakra to the all-encompassing universe and that there are more than 80 ways to drape a sari? Nope? THEN MOVE ALONG.

“My yoga studio is basically my second home, and my teacher tells me that I have the best sarvangasana in the whole class.” And my savasana is unparalleled, but that does not mean I’m going to paint my body blue to try and rep a Hindu goddess.

“I took a sushi making class and really got into it and also did you know “egg” is “tamago” in Japanese?” And I am sure your kappa maki is *Italian chef kiss*, but you still need to chill with the pointed eyeliner and white face paint. Katy Perry tried the sexy geisha thing at the 2013 AMAs, and it did not go well for her, either. You know what you can do? Dress your dog up like a sushi roll. Everyone loves a sushi pug.

Halloween is about getting weird and wild and a little unhinged. It’s about making friends through the harmless exchange of candy. There’s a better idea lurking just behind the one that has the potential to insult, hurt, or marginalize, I promise you. Still searching? We have you covered.

Here are some super simple Halloween costumes that don’t involve being a culturally insensitive jerk:

Sexy Fashion Cactus Mercury in retrograde An out-of-office reply A pea pod Your passport photo A toadstool The national debt A vape bro Wisconsin A cat

[mredlich21]

Happy Bad Girls Month/International Women's Day! Fearless Nadia Was the Baddest of the Bad, and the Most International of Them All, and Here's Why

Happy Bad Girls Month/International Women's Day! Fearless Nadia Was the Baddest of the Bad, and the Most International of Them All, and Here's Why

I love Fearless Nadia. She is my dream Halloween costume. And I could pull it off too! We look the same, same kind of build and blonde hair and blue eyes. I just have to put on a sari and carry a whip. But then everyone would think I am culturally appropriating and give me a hard time so I can’t. The world is hard.

(more…)

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New Post has been published on Titos London

#Blog New Post has been published on http://www.titoslondon.in/halloween-2017-10-costume-ideas-inspired-from-movie-characters/

Halloween 2017: 10 costume ideas inspired from movie characters

By: Lifestyle Desk | New Delhi | Published:October 26, 2017 5:00 pm Who would you like to become on Halloween? (Source: File Photo) Related News

Halloween 2017: Confused about how to dress to scare everyone? Here’s some inspiration

When is Halloween 2017?

Beware the pets when handling the Halloween candy haul

The million dollar question before Halloween is: what to wear! While there are the regular vampires and fairies, we think they are too cliched and boring. How about trying something new this year? Not only can you dress up as characters from recently released Hollywood horror flicks, but there are a bunch of Indian movie characters too which you could try out.

Let’s have a look at them:

Nagin

Be it Sridevi from the movie Nagina or Mouni Roy’s character in the popular TV serial Naagin, the snake ladies have never failed to charm us. Red eyes beaming with anger and a beautiful sari is all you need to scare people away.

Sridevi and Mouni Roy as Nagins. (Source: File Photo)

Thakur from Jani Dushman

If Naagin is too simple for you, the overtly hairy character from the 1979 film Jaani Dushaman would be the perfect Halloween costume idea. Dare to try?

Thakur from Jani Dushman. (Source: File Photo)

Pennywise from It

The clown look has become popular with the release of the movie ‘It’ this year. Pennywise the clown is definitely one of the scariest Halloween costumes you can wear. To get this look, apart from the costume, the face painting and the red nose matters.

Manjulika from Bhool Bhulaiyaa

One of the best looks for women to try this Halloween is to dress up as Manjulika from the movie Bhool Bhulaiyaa. You can try saying some of the dialogues as well or learn a few of her dance steps.

Annabelle

Annabelle: Creation is one of the scariest movies of 2017, and dressing up as the Annabelle doll can be really scary. You just need to get the dress and of course don’t forget to put on the wig!

Indian zombie from Miruthan

A Tamil film, Miruthan is also India’s first zombie film, which released last year and has become a good Halloween costume idea for those who want to put some Indian-ness to their outfits. Tip: Be careful with the make-up.

Indian Zombie. (Source: File Photo)

Makkhi Forget zombies and ghosts, let’s become a bee this Halloween. Makhi from the movie of same name is not easy to dress up as but it’s totally worth it!

Makkhi. (Source: File Photo)

Freddy Krueger From A Nightmare on Elm Street Even if you can’t find a way to pull off that burnt-up face, you can easily pull off a striped sweater, a fedora, and terrifying finger-blade gloves. How to act: You have to be a little maniacal. Freddie haunts your dreams, murders you in cold blood, and laughs the whole way.

Krrish

Move over Superman and Batman, our Indian superhero is here. With the stylish mask and the black jacket, Krrish was the fantasy of almost every Indian kid. You can dress up as him this Halloween.

Wanna be superhero this Halloween? Try dressing up as Krrish. (Source: File Photo)

Shaktimaan

Bored of being a baddie or a zombie? Remember your childhood superhero, Shaktimaan? You can dress up like him! Just buy the maroon jumpsuit and you are ready for the party.

Shaktimaan. (Source: File Photo)

Happy Halloween!

Video of the day

For all the latest Lifestyle News, download Indian Express App

© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd More Related News

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Tags:

Halloween

[elsiescdesign]

Sleepy Forest: Handmade & Vintage Gift Ideas by paulinemcewen featuring an outdoor shelf ❤ liked on Polyvore

Handle fringe handbag etsy.com

Garnet necklace etsy.com

Copper jewelry etsy.com

Wedding jewellery etsy.com

Bracelet etsy.com

Necklace etsy.com

Nail care etsy.com

Wall art etsy.com

Wall art etsy.com

Home decor etsy.com

Rustico outdoor shelf etsy.com

Sari Silk Infinity Scarf Brown Scarf Fall Scarf Summer Scarf Womens... etsy.com

Halloween Costume Green Cowl Knit Neck Warmer Unique Handmade Scarf... etsy.com

Collector Piece Vintage square Murano style Decorative Plate, Silver... etsy.com

mariellascode etsy.com

Round crochet doily salmon handmade round doily, table decoration,... etsy.com

[acasaconmanu]

Sleepy Forest: Handmade & Vintage Gift Ideas by paulinemcewen featuring a rustic tray

Handle long purse, €38 / Colorful beaded necklace, €20 / Colorful bangle, €15 / Black diamond jewelry, €19 / Bracelet, €16 / Necklace, €34 / Nail care, €7,59 / Wall art, €76 / Home decor, €14 / Rustico rustic tray, €100 / Home Design Wall Hanging Sign Plum Welcome, €10 / Sari Silk Infinity Scarf Brown Scarf Fall Scarf Summer Scarf Womens..., €16 / Halloween Costume Green Cowl Knit Neck Warmer Unique Handmade Scarf..., €63 / Collector Piece Vintage square Murano style Decorative Plate, Silver..., €40 / mariellascode, €23 / Round crochet doily salmon handmade round doily, table decoration,..., €15

[thefashionistacook]

Keep It Comin' Love: Handmade & Vintage Gift Ideas by paulinemcewen featuring square coasters ❤ liked on Polyvore

Masquerade mardi gras halloween costume / Adjustable silver ring, $24 / Art deco bridal earrings / Ring / Summer earrings / Jewelry / Vintage pins brooch / Necklace / Brooch / Home decor / Teapot / Square coaster / Reversible Receiving Blanket, 34" x 34" Dog Print Blanket,Double... / Mandragora Harry Potter Keychain crochet amigurumi, plant, asleep, for... / Knitted booties, boots crochet, Slippers, unisex shoes, socks,... / Cat Dog Costume Hat with Brown Pokemon Green Crochet Unique Handmade... / Crochet Applique Golden Umbrella Romantic Theme Scrapbooking Card... / Faux Suede Fabric Western Style Hat Vintage Cowboy Hat Cowgirl... / Sari Silk Infinity Scarf Brown Scarf Fall Scarf Summer Scarf Womens...

[titoslondon-blog]

New Post has been published on Titos London

#Blog New Post has been published on http://www.titoslondon.in/halloween-2017-10-costume-ideas-inspired-by-movie-characters/

Halloween 2017: 10 costume ideas inspired by movie characters

By: Lifestyle Desk | New Delhi | Updated: October 26, 2017 7:37 pm Who would you like to become on Halloween? (Source: File Photo) Related News

Spooky Halloween traditions and how they started; find out

Halloween 2017: Confused about how to dress to scare everyone? Here’s some inspiration

When is Halloween 2017?

The million dollar question before Halloween is: what to wear! While there are the regular vampires and fairies, we think they are too cliched and boring. How about trying something new this year? Not only can you dress up as characters from recently released Hollywood horror flicks, but there are a bunch of Indian movie characters too which you could try out.

Let’s have a look at them:

Nagin

Be it Sridevi from the movie Nagina or Mouni Roy’s character in the popular TV serial Naagin, the snake ladies have never failed to charm us. Red eyes beaming with anger and a beautiful sari is all you need to scare people away.

Sridevi and Mouni Roy as Nagins. (Source: File Photo)

Thakur from Jani Dushman

If Naagin is too simple for you, the overtly hairy character from the 1979 film Jaani Dushaman would be the perfect Halloween costume idea. Dare to try?

Thakur from Jani Dushman. (Source: File Photo)

Pennywise from It

The clown look has become popular with the release of the movie ‘It’ this year. Pennywise the clown is definitely one of the scariest Halloween costumes you can wear. To get this look, apart from the costume, the face painting and the red nose are important.

Manjulika from Bhool Bhulaiyaa

One of the best looks for women to try this Halloween is to dress up as Manjulika from the movie Bhool Bhulaiyaa. You can try saying some of the dialogues as well or learn a few of her dance steps.

Annabelle

Annabelle: Creation is one of the scariest movies of 2017, and dressing up as the Annabelle doll can be really scary. You just need to get the dress and of course don’t forget to put on the wig!

Indian zombie from Miruthan

A Tamil film, Miruthan is also India’s first zombie film, which released last year. It is a good Halloween costume idea for those who want to add some Indian-ness to their look. Tip: Be careful with the make-up.

Indian Zombie. (Source: File Photo)

Makkhi Forget zombies and ghosts, let’s become a bee this Halloween. Makhi from the movie of the same name is not easy to dress up as but it’s totally worth it!

Makkhi. (Source: File Photo)

Freddy Krueger From A Nightmare on Elm Street Even if you can’t find a way to pull off that burnt-up face, you can easily pull off a striped sweater, a fedora, and terrifying finger-blade gloves.

Krrish

Move over Superman and Batman, our Indian superhero is here. With the stylish mask and the black jacket, Krrish was the fantasy of almost every Indian kid. You can dress up as him this Halloween.

Wanna be superhero this Halloween? Try dressing up as Krrish. (Source: File Photo)

Shaktimaan

Bored of being a baddie or a zombie? Remember your childhood superhero, Shaktimaan? You can dress up like him! Just buy the maroon jumpsuit and you are ready for the party.

Shaktimaan. (Source: File Photo)

Happy Halloween!

Video of the day

For all the latest Lifestyle News, download Indian Express App

© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd More Related News

Beware the pets when handling the Halloween candy haul

Here’s the most sought after Mexican Halloween costume: Donald Trump’s head

Tags:

Halloween