Cultural Appropriation
White Sage, Palo Santo, and Sweetgrass are CLOSED PRACTICES. Let’s Talk about why:
In full disclosure, I didn't always know that burning White Sage and Palo Santo were closed practices as well as the term "Smudging." Smudging and the use of white sage especially is something that is talked about in movies, tv shows, etc. and most people assume that when they want to remove negativity from their home, they should purchase some white sage or Palo Santo to burn. It isn't really talked about, and it's uncomfortable. I am not here to condemn those who have participated in this, because that doesn't create real change. Real change starts with open and honest conversations, and gives people space and time to reflect and change.
For me, as someone who is predominantly white, I don't want to continue the same patterns that have been laid out before me. I want my shop to be different, and make real change. So I am going to keep talking about this in hopes that I reach more people! Here is some important information:
What is Cultural Appropriation?
“When a dominant culture in society takes aspects from another culture that is being oppressed or the borrowing/adoptions of something as one's own when it did not originate from your culture. This happens without proper understanding, credit, or permission (asaging.org).”
Why is the practice of Smudging, and the use of white sage & Palo Santo a closed practice?
The practice of smudging and these plants are considered sacred medicine to many Native American and Indigenous Nations. There is great cultural significance of these plants and ALL CEREMONY AND CULTURE of indigenous peoples have been ILLEGAL in the United States until 1978, only 46 years ago. This includes smudging with white sage, palo santo, and sweetgrass.
Many Indigenous people today themselves or their parents, and grandparents that were forced to attend "Indian Boarding Schools" after being forcibly removed from their land and homes. These schools were made to assimilate Natives and strip them of their culture, language, and identity. Thousands of children were killed and many more were abused mentally, physically, and sexually. Native Americans who were found to be using white sage or other sacred herbs were beaten and/or jailed. The only reason why these cultural traditions survived was because it was done in secret, and many risked their lives to continue their culture and practices. Many indigenous people now are reclaiming their cultures that was stolen from them. Even though Non-natives who use white sage and smudge is not often ill-intended, it is still harmful and part of a larger issue. The dominant (white) culture is able to take and the PRIVILEGE of choosing to take and use the “fun” aspects of a culture without having to experience the horror and trauma that the marginalized group(s) of people have endured. Cultural appropriation diminishes historical persecution while still oppressing the culture it is stealing from. There are also serious environmental problems happening with the over harvesting of White Sage and Palo Santo, and again this limits Native people from being able to use their own culture (willy-street.coop).
If an indigenous person shares their culture with you, and gives one of these items as a gift, this is a different situation. If you have White Sage and Palo Santo, or any other sacred herbs and are not sure what to do with them, I have learned it is best to return them to Mother Nature and bury them. I implore everyone to do their own research on this topic and about American history in general. I am not the end all be all of knowledge on this topic, and the best people to hear from about this are Indigenous peoples. I would love to start a conversation about this with others and hear stories of other marginalized groups.
This isn’t the only example of cultural appropriation, so I highly recommend doing additional research on what is okay and what isn’t. My rule of thumb is to always do research before making any kind of purchase.
Some herbs you can grow in your own garden and burn that are okay and not cultural appropriation are rosemary, garden sage, basil, lavender, and mint! I also sell rosemary and mugwort bundles on my website that are ethically sourced. Another thing you can do instead of smoke cleansing is sound cleansing with a singing bowl or healing frequencies can be found on Spotify, Apple Music, etc., water cleansing (taking a shower or bath and imagining negative energy leaving your body), crystal gridding your home or actually physically cleaning your home with intentions!
Sources: https://asaging.org/cultural-appropriation
https://www.willystreet.coop/august-2019/smudge-and-the-cultural-appropriation-issue
