In this period when the debate about cultural appropriation is in full swing, we thought that it’d be important to address this concern, as we’re witnessing more and more cultural appropriation regarding the Amazigh culture, when it comes to our traditional tattoos, clothing, jewellery, etc.
The Amazigh culture wasn’t spared unfortunately, so we would like to rise awareness and educate people on that matter to explain what cultural appropriation is, what’s the difference with cultural appreciation, what the consequences could be, as well as how to avoid it yourself when in contact with another culture?
Some definitions by Kelsey Holmes from Greenheart Travel:
Cultural appropriation: “taking one aspect of a culture that is not your own and using it for your own personal interest.”
Cultural appreciation: “when someone seeks to understand and learn about another culture in an effort to broaden their perspective and connect with others cross-culturally.”
To put it simply, cultural appropriation is when you get an object/jewelry/clothing/symbol (etc.) belonging to another culture, which usually has a cultural significance, and you use it for your own benefit, fame, and/or profit without giving any credit to that culture the item or symbol belongs to. This form of cultural disrespect keeps happening because clear laws simply don’t exist. Disrespect also because the cultures whose ancestors suffered under colonial rules to preserve what was left of their identity for the future generations.
“Taking a part of another culture without understanding what it truly means can be harmful to those whose culture you are using but also to those with whom you share it” because you trivialize it and encourage others to do the same. Holmes states that “using symbols/objects of another culture without knowledge and understanding can lead to […] negative cultural stereotyping”. I’d also add that it can also threatens the integrity of a culture (usually an oppressed and/or exploited cultures) that struggles to survive and preserve its heritage.
How to avoid appropriating and learn to appreciate: remember that it’s all about respect and context. Just engage a little introspection and ask yourself if you understand the significant of the cultural aspect you’re using? Are you doing this to learn about a culture or to perpetuate stereotypes? Are you using a culture’s aesthetic to honour that culture or for your personal benefit? And “would [you] be offended if someone wore an important religious symbol from [your] culture without understanding what it truly means?
We hope this could help you enlighten you on the subject, understanding the difference between cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation, as well as making the right choices when it comes to using aspects of another culture.
Be respectful and considerate.
Sources
Young, James O., “Cultural Appropriation and the Arts”, John Wiley & Sons, 1 February 2010, p. 5.
https://huffpost.com/entry/cultural-appropriation_b_4363916
www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQgF1f557YY&list=PLeEP7Oq-nLIO6vcEtEoDH8k4mJrd8xCsU&index=71&t=338s
www.everydayfeminism.com/2013/09/cultural-exchange-and-cultural-appropriation/
https://huffpost.com/entry/cultural-appropriation-vs-appreciation_n_5a78d13ee4b0164659c72fb3
https://www.medium.com/@tempest/the-cultural-appropriation-primer-91f1101dae1d
https://smh.com.au/opinion/our-cultures-are-not-your-costumes-20141114-11myp4.html
www.nativeappropriations.com/2010/04/but-why-cant-i-wear-a-hipster-headdress.html
https://bitchmedia.org/post/costume-cultural-appropriation
https://thoughtco.com/cultural-appropriation-and-why-iits-wrong-2834561
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Tamazgha History 
Couldn’t agree more, the recent surge in the return to one’s culture online through social media has made a great positive impact. We see a lot of people appreciating and showing off their origins and each beautiful aspect of it online. We always need to keep educating people around us.
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Absolutely! This is an important subject that many people haven’t heard about, or don’t know what it exactly means. With social media, we are all connected and sharing many aspects of who we are, and rising awareness on cultural appropriation is, we believe, fundamental to educate people to use a cultural aspect that is not theirs the right way.
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Thanks ✌
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You’re much welcome!
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