10.5K Likes, 372 Comments. Braiding started in Africa with the Himba people of Namibia, says Pace. Lora OBrien answered an Irish Pagan School Student Question about Irish Ancestry and Cultural Appropriation, in relation to Irish or Celtic Pagan Practice. As you so rightly point out, much of NeoPaganism is this way a pick n mix of whatever the traditions creators, or individual practitioners, need or want, taken from various indigenous cultures and traditions (and often horrifically mangled and commercially repackaged to appeal to the lowest common denominator, in the process). When you try to discover who invented braids, youll go all the way back to Africa. French braids have been around for a long time. I have celtic heritage, I invite you to study, make use of and practice it. Its also amazing how those who wear them are unable to write English and constantly confuse your with youre when ending a sentence with an asshole. Maya Allen is a beauty editor with over five years of experience covering hair, makeup, skin, and nails. However, those of us who follow traditional gaelic paganchd/t are really tired of new age religions, wicca, pan-pagan approaches, etc., who like to borrow gaelic art, stories, lore, designs etc., as window dressing for their non-gaelic shit. On the other hand, if you learn, explore, and understand a . Women and men of all ages are getting their hair braided on a day-to-day basis. 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Anyone who tells you that Celtic is a closed practice is ego tripping. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider From clean lines to braids that are organic and messy. lora o'brien describes irish paganism as being a "semi closed" or "semi open" practice. These women were known to wear these braids while they worked in their fields or while they were performing other duties. I was talking with a few people about learning about celtic culture, and at first I was told to research more (totally understandable) but was later told its a closed practice. "When Zendaya wore Locks on the red carpet, she was denigrated by a style guru on the E! (Roberts assertion about sticky locks actually confirms the disgustingly unhygenic way in which Whites have to avoid grooming to generate locks whereas Blacks dont.) Visit Insider's homepage for more stories, posted a tribute to Notting Hill Carnival, accusing her of gaslighting and racist microaggressions, Stories of racist jokes, microaggressions, and tokenism from YouTubers highlight a widespread problem within the influencer industry. However, I hope that when speaking of white people, or black people, it would be considered that they are not homogenous groups with the same kind of backround. Besides, culture is meant to be . However, African tribes have been braiding for centuries. Are dreadlocks Celtic? to Today: The Fascinating History of Nail Polish, Curly Hair for Men: The Ultimate Guide, Straight From Grooming Experts, 6 Ways Serena Williams Changed Tennis Fashion Forever, This Nail Polish Brand Is Diversifying the Nail Care Industry for People of Color, Get to Know 6 Gen Z Designers Pushing Fashion Forward, 13 African Beauty Brands We Can't Stop Using. Are braids part of European culture? this is ahistorical racist nonsense. Women also wore their braids pinned to the head and also incorporated knots and buns in their hairstyles. TikTok video from N O P E (@okaywendyy): "Reply to @theweeone Hope this helps and clears things up #braids #blacktiktok #blackhair #JimJammin #foryou #fyp". New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Nigella Miller is an NYC-based natural hair and grooming expert with over 13 years of experience. How do I honour my ancestors in that context? Crochet braids can also be made with more than one color of hair extension and also with hair extensions that change colors as theyre braided into place. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. Some of my (English) ancestors oppressed some of my (Irish/Scottish) ancestors. | However some warriors would cake their *braids in mud and when the Romans discovered this they described those braids in a similar manner to dreadlocks as we know then today. Watch popular content from the following creators: kate (she/her)(@kateisfit), -(@sammiraysword), J U N E(@june_0ffiicial), amanda(@mandapxnda), CharmingstoneCreations(@charmingstonecreations), AmandaWoo(@amandawoolovesutoo), CharmingstoneCreations(@charmingstonecreations), Tillie . In addition, they were also used as a way to show off their skill with a sword. Box braids are versatile and can be worn in different ways. In Europe, braids are often associated with German cultureand for good reason! TikTok video from margaret mccarthy (@margaretgoose): "love doing these. One large and long braid was worn by girls in active search for a groom, while two braids which were tied around the head meant the girl was in marriage. Theyre often worn by women in Germany and Austriaand they look great on anyone! Don't know why you got downvoted. Keep reading for a fun history lesson on the origin of braids. You don't have to erase other cultures from your wardrobe altogether, but maybe question how they got there in the first place. Viking warriors usually wore long braids or dreadlocks to make them more intimidating to their enemies in battle or perhaps, more simply, for the practical purpose or keeping their hair out of their eyes while fighting! Celtic braids are easy to make and can be worn on their own or combined with other types of braids. in a different context i have come across the same issue with regards to modern paganisms use of the mabinogion, and whether this was appropriate or justified. Getting your hair braided in this salon environment builds unity and embraces a historical culture. 117 Likes, TikTok video from DeityFreeHappenings (@deityfreedee): "Part if the Celtic culture #hair_styles #culture #celts #braids #peoples_reactions #heritage #ancestry". There are TONS of things that weve imported from other cultures. Is hair sacred in Celtic culture? Over the last weekend of August, she posted a tribute to Notting Hill Carnival which was was held online this year due to the coronavirus pandemic wearing bantu knots and a Jamaican flag bikini top. at the same time it would be seen as forward progress for a black person to want to assimilate to a white culture. The first documented traces of them are in ancient Mayan culture when they were used as an adornment. What culture invented braids? As for creative writing, you have to start with information you already have and build on that. The Himbas neighbors, the Herero people, also had a tradition of braiding hair that dates back to about 500 BC. Braids are also found in other parts of the world, such as Asia and Europe. I really don't want to appropriate anything, and would gladly discard those ideas if it is considered appropriation, but if it's fine to use then I would love to include it. Feel free to take up any books on Celtic Magic you like and put them into practice. so weve decided to further adopt our own. The German braids are some of the most intricate, beautiful braids that youll find. It can be found in ancient African culture. this is a nuanced topic & its not as simple as "its impossible to culturally appropriate european cultures & the celtic cultures are european cultures therefore they cannot be appropriated" or a black-and-white binary of "open practice" vs "closed practice". France is right there and the French are partially descended from and identify strongly with the ancient Gauls. Cultural appropriation is when cultural elements of a minority culture are borrowed or stolen by members of a dominant culture and taken out of context. The name crochet comes from the fact that the braids are made up of short, tight braids with spaces between them. What do you think of people of mixed ancestry (and in my case, its mixed English, Scottish and Irish but as Ive looked back into my family history where I can find the info, it is more English than either Scottish or Irish), pursuing an Irish pagan path? At the end of our lunch discussion, I was convinced that its not ALWAYS wrong for white people to wear dreadlocks. some of them have survived to this day (ireland, scotland, isle of man, wales, cornwall, brittany) while some have not (gaul). He drew on that background when writing about Middle Earth. The best part about Celtic braids is that they are easy to make and can be worn on their own or combined with other types of braids. A space to share and talk about theistic paganism. These hair extensions can be colored, straightened, and curled at the end of the process, so it is possible to get a wide range of looks depending on what you want. Feathered hair and Celtic braids are two great examples of styles designed for the texture of white hair that also look incredible. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images. Celebrities of color face an onslaught of conspiracy theories and misinformation. Thank you for answering it. What culture braided hair first? Braiding was and is a social art. This practice was called fat-lacing and often led to some pretty smelly heads! at the same time it would be seen as forward progress for a black person to want to assimilate to a white culture, If you werent ignorant, youd know that black people tried to assimiliate into white culture, but was constantly denied to do so because we were brought here for one thing only: to be your property (and your entertainment-musically, sexually, etc.) How do i honourably develop a relationship with Irish or Scottish paganism when I know that many of my ancestors were part of a violent system that literally stole land and resources from other of my ancestors, and even worked to eradicate the exact spiritual practices that I now seek to learn? In the real world, this can translate to a Black woman wearing her hair naturally, only for it to be called "unprofessional," "ghetto," or "too ethnic," Adelaja said, then when a white person does it, it's lauded as cool and edgy. People that claim it's closed are usually those that are also some form of white supremists. The origin of braids can be traced back 5000 years in African culture to 3500 BCthey were very popular among women. Braids are not just a style; this craft is a form of art. In the midst of Coachella, one of the biggest music festivals in the world, we fawn over the drop-dead . "Cultural appropriation arises when people, anyone, takes aspects of another culture specifically to mock or disrespect them," he said. My name is Chelsea, I was born in Canada to an American mother and a Canadian father. The ever-evolving world of beauty births new trends every day. Besidesblack culturewhite culturewhat about American culture? Is celtic a closed practice and would this be cultural appropriation? might start recreating some. Theyre always going to be fashionable because theyre practical and chic, says Saviano. However, there have been many other people than just Rastafarians wearing hair in a way similar to dreadlocks; in ancient Egypt, in India still today, and surprise: even in Europe the celts and vikings and some other people have worn their hair that way. The Vikings actually valued very clean straight and well kept hair. To get the best look, youll want to make sure your Dutch braid is over the ear. | Cc: I meant like braids braids so | Cc: You know | original sound - N O P E. 21.8K Likes, 3.8K Comments. Braids have been worn by people from all walks of life for centuries. when Qatar made its earliest WC promo and adopted a design that resembles . For cofounder of The Rum Kitchen Stevie Thomas, who was previously a "Shipwrecked" contestant, the cultural appropriation conversation hits home. I live in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory. Women would braid their hair and then dye it with clay from the riverbeds near their village. It gives off fun, playful energy and is perfect for the texture of white womens hair. Celtic men and women wore their hair long, and the noble class had elaborate braids that were often decorated. One of the most common forms of appropriation is white people wearing dreadlocks, Bantu knots and cornrows , all of which are protective hairstyles often worn by Black women. Im all for cross-cultural appreciation, but there are ways to enjoy and appreciate other cultures without losing your own authenticity. I would guess 90% of what you find on the internet claiming to be historic 'celtic' is a bunch of bullshit. Write an article and join a growing community of more than 160,200. Did the Celts wear braids? It is true that different cultures created different styles of braids such as the African culture creating their own unique hairstyle and that we cant precisely tell who invented braids. Braiding started in Africa with the Himba people of Namibia, says Pace. Braiding started in Africa with the Himba people of Namibia, who use hair extensions as part of their culture. its important to not lump them all together as one thing, because these different nations had different languages, different prechristian religious practices & mythology, different gods, etc. I would ignore whoever told you that. there are many celtic cultures. The Himbas and Zulus used to wear their hair in different styles including cornrows and dreadlocks, but they also wore braids that were twisted into different shapes. The most relevant celtic braids cultural appropriation pages are listed below: Are braids a part of Celtic culture? Maybe its an answered prayer from the ancestors on both sides that one Day the children of the colonizer would join the team of the indigenous and understand the beauty of earth based traditions and honoring, for the benefit of all and harmony. "A braid was a sign of unsophistication, a downgrade of [a Black woman's] image," Tharps says. Its a way of life. EloquentlyEse 1.46K subscribers Subscribe 3.7K views 10 months ago The first video I'm making on. other pagans who consider their practices to be celtic are out there & they may have different feelings entirely on the matter. The problem is, like with white kids wearing dreadlocks who CLEARLY arent rastafarians no matter how much Legend theyve listened to, we dont also import the cultural meaning behind them. This DIY Mask Has Been Used on Natural Hair for CenturiesBut Does It Work? '", The Kardashians are often criticized for wearing their hair in Black styles without really acknowledging where they came from. Discover short videos related to celtic braid cultural appropriation on TikTok. Box braids damage Caucasian hair the same way they damage any other hair. The braids became associated with royalty in other European countries as well, such as Germany and Russia. TikTok video from Rosa_Dont_Trip (@rosa.dont.trip): "#stitch with @romaarmyyy #greenscreen #fyp #fyp #viral #braiding #culture". Some argue that when white women braid or wear their hair in cornrows this is "cultural appropriation", while black women are asked to show race allegiance by keeping our hair natural . Unfortunately, part of the colonial heritage as well as much of modern Western society is an ingrained attitude of entitlement. "We have your back on this one all the way!!! some people will say that because the actual pagan cultures that preceeded the modern ones "died out" a long time ago that makes it fine to do whatever with them (in some cases, such as with the gaulish culture which has no modern celtic inheritor, this is true). It was later adopted by European women, who brought the style to America and other parts of the world in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Fluffy, bouncy and beautiful, its one of the prettiest styles ever created. Theres got to be a level of self-awareness and humility involved. In the 1970s, Black women repopularized cornrows as a style to reject the chemical relaxers that flooded the market. Its the way African people identify themselves. "Black culture has been used, abused, and rehashed for a white marketplace way before Adele's hair, Elvis's hip-shaking, and Eminem's lyrical flow.". Rather than an angry "mob," Caribbean people flooded the comments telling her to ignore the backlash because what she was really doing was appreciating Jamaican culture, not appropriating it. White women should steer clear of protective hairstyles because they are not designed for our hair texture. Braids on white peoples: | Celtic braids This tradition of bonding was carried on for generations and quickly made its way across the world. The Vikings' neighbours, the Celts had their own version of dreadlocks which they called elflocks, so the Vikings may well have shared this name, although there's no written record of what the Vikings would have called dreadlocks. African culture Heres a list of frequently asked questions about who invented braids and their fascinating history. I highly support your stance. Dominance: This type involves a dominant culture taking elements of a subordinate culture that has had a dominant culture forced upon it. The process of getting cornrows or dreads can rip out or permanently damage our hair. Then repeat this process until all strands are woven together into one long braid (or cornrows). TikTok video from massnad (@mass_nad): "#stitch with @mashka #braids #cultureappropriation #culture appreciation". I suspect that the flack youre receiving is from those who are understandably tired of this trend. Gaelic Paganacht is not closed. There's a big difference between cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation. The idea that cultural appropriation is primarily a form of erasure - a kind of emotional violence in which people are rendered invisible - came along later. crucially, whether we give something back rather than simply taking. Did the Celts wear dreadlocks? Experts say that's not a coincidence. channel, but when Kendall Jenner wears Locks on a runway, the style is chic and fashion-forward.". Braids are a great way to add style and personality to your look. Are plaits and braids the same thing? So go ahead and start you story with Celtic influences, don't be surprised in synchronicities start appearing in Magazines, Newspapers and Social Media relating to what your writing about, and mine your dreams for new ideas. She is currently the beauty director for InStyle Magazine. The oldest record of a plait comes from a braided statue known in academia as the Venus of Willendorf, thought to have been made between 25,000 and 30,000 BC. Did the Celts wear dreads? I am of mixed English, Scottish and Irish ancestry (and a smattering of other things thrown in). Remember that culture and religion change across geography and time, that's why you can distinguish New England from the Midwest and both of them from Texas while still recognizing all of them as American. "These people have been braiding their hair for centuries. However, I wanted to revisit it to be clear on some thoughts that have occurred to me since. It can offend people when people do this without making it. Only 90% of the time. Celtic braids were popular among Celtic warriors.