By doing so, you can help to ensure that indigenous communities are able to access the resources they need to sustain their livelihoods and preserve their cultures. Cultural appropriation has been taking place since the first group of humans encountered another group of humans. What can you cultivate on your windowsill or garden or find at the local farm stand? Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. On the one hand, the increased popularity of Palo Santo has provided economic opportunities for indigenous communities. Its hard to let go of something I grew up with, sure, but its harder to think that I am hurting a group of people. Non-native peoples use of smudge products are often well-intentioned but, When you reach a window or door, waft the smoke into all four corners, beginning at the bottom left and moving in a, Some people do this [smudge] every day, as a ritual or way to start their day. Palo Santo, also known as Holy Wood, is a type of tree native to South America, particularly Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia. This is cultural appropriation, and its harmful to Native communities. Palo santo was traditionally used as a remedy for ailments like the common cold, headaches, and stress. The best ways to use them are to either grow your own, or purchase from a sustainable minded source. What grows there? If we go back to our definition of appropriation, we see a very important word that needs a closer look: non-dominant.When we appreciate an item, activity, or expression from a non-dominant culturesuch as burning palo santo, listening to reggae, or surfing Oahus north shorewe need to step more lightly. It might help ease stress. Due to overharvesting and habitat loss, the tree is near extinction. Its also used to clear out negative energy. No, of course not! Wormwood (this is my go-to, since its so abundant where I live). https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/palo-santo-smudge-sticks/profile I'll edit the original post to include a link as well. By listening to locals, honoring traditions, supporting communities, and giving credit and compensation at every turn, we can support a cultural exchange that truly is appreciation, not appropriation. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. There are a number of ways to do this, including buying from companies that source their wood sustainably and pay fair wages to indigenous producers. The IUCN has declared Palo Santo to be of least concern on a global scale; however, national governments also determine a plants regional conservation status. I love the smell of incense (Nag Champa specifically) but now I'm getting worried that I shouldn't be burning it as a white person. You can also support organizations and initiatives that are working to protect indigenous peoples rights and promote sustainable production practices. What kind of sage is not Empowering Lives with Nutritious and Delicious NDIS Meals! Therefore, it is important to consider the potential risks and benefits of selling Palo Santo in non-indigenous markets before doing so. Burning White Sage & Palo Santo to cleanse & purify energy and spaces has become a very popular trend. If you're not Indigenous and therefore hesitating to strike a match to cleanse the bad vibes out of your apartment, Do you have knowledge or insights to share? The wood is burned as incense to purify spaces and is often used in traditional ceremonies and rituals. After many long conversations, members of my family (all Peruvian) have agreed that using palo santo as a spiritual cleanser in any place other than Peru is a bit odd, she told me. Ecuadorian Hands, an Ecuador-based online retailer that sells eco-friendly handcrafts, posted a video to its website showing workers gathering palo santo for the spiritual trade. So Burning these sticks is a sacred practice used by Indigenous communities of the Andes to cleanse their space and ward off evil spirits. Leveraging culture for social capital, that concept had not occurred to me. For non-Native people, the burning of Palo Santo and white sage ( which is now endangered) is nothing short of cultural appropriation. Trends like this negate the actual importance behind the practice, giving non-Native folk the idea that they can commodify cultures for their own personal benefit. The post offers alternatives for non-native people to use. Theres no question all things energetically cleansing are having a moment right now despite their roots in ancient history. Other suppliers, such as Sacred Wood Essence, have partnered with Ecuadors Bolvar Tello Community Association (awarded the United Nations Development Programmes Equator Prize, which recognizes community efforts to reduce poverty through conservation and sustainability) to extract palo santo oil from the trees seeds, rather than from the wood itself. The Beach Is My Happy Placeand Here Are 3 Science-Backed Reasons It Should Be Yours, Too. Palo Santo is traditionally burned In short: keep doing your thing! Required fields are marked *. Is it OK to use Palo Santo? But what is it and why are people burning it? Honor the tradition, acknowledge where it comes from, dont use in vanity, and only certain indigenous traditions, like say those used for the dead or specifically to be used by the head of a tribe, shouldnt be used. Therefore, it is important to assess the potential benefits and risks of using Palo Santo in spiritual practices. Do you have to open windows when burning Palo Santo? This means a plant can be listed as endangered in one country and not another. Its also believed that smoke (of any organic/natural kind) can reduce air pollutants up to 94%!!! Its holistic origins are rooted in Latin cultures. Because of all that complicated history of sage burning, when non-Native people use white sage to "smudge" their homes or other spaces, it infringes upon the We will also investigate the role of social media in popularizing Palo Santo, its potential benefits and risks for spiritual practices, and how consumers can support indigenous communities when purchasing it. That smudge stick is not benign. The ritualistic burning of Palo Santo has been practiced for thousands of years. What culture Burns Palo Santo? Its not about ownership. That smudge stick represents the deep pain, sacrifice, resistance, and refusal of Native peoples. Its also used to clear out negative energy. To hear their own voices on this matter, watch this video! This month, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) for the first time released a review of bursera graveolenss conservation status and declared it of least concern.. And it brings hope to marginalized rural communities.Also, we fund tree-planting efforts that ensure the long-term viability of the Dry Tropical Forest.By paying fair prices for the finished product, we ensure the people of the source receive living wages for their contributions.We share and promote the many different ways this sacred wood is used by the people of Ecuador and beyond. It's most likely to be harmful when the source community is a minority group that has been oppressed or exploited in other ways or when the object of appropriation is particularly sensitive, e.g. Palo Santo Appropriation vs Appreciation When honoring and enjoying palo santo in the western world, are we participating in a well-intentioned but disrespectful Palo Santo belongs to the woody fragrance family, and its smell is described as a subtle, sweet, and woody scent with hints of mint, citrus. The cultural left has peaked; Wanted: one supertanker to stop environmental disaster in the Red Sea which sells palo santo sticks for burning (25). You can buy palo santo smudge sticks from Etsy and follow along on YouTube as a woman in yoga wear teaches viewers how to cleanse a room without burning the place down. Its a calming ritual and so allow a little time . Why is Good UI/UX Design Imperative for Business Success? Palo santo, which translates literally to holy wood in Spanish, is the harvested wood from palo Is smudging cultural appropriation? Then, direct or push the energy out the window to get rid of it. Shamans traditionally burned Palo Santo in a bundle of sticks to cleanse, purify and create sacred space. Once you have your intention in mind, All of my friends and I approach our smudging rituals slightly differently because like any self-care ritual, its personal. If something is calling to you or feels missing from your experience, feel free to adapt and adjust. Were I in your shoes, Id look for some way to use it that isnt smudging. All of my friends and I approach our smudging rituals slightly differently because like any self-care ritual, its personal. If something is calling to you or feels missing from your experience, feel free to adapt and adjust. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Is it cultural appropriation to use white sage? Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. This is cultural appropriation, and its harmful to Native communities. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Not Native peoples.. Hello, my name is ___; I am moving into this space. Furthermore, there is the risk that the sale of Palo Santo in non-indigenous markets could lead to further exploitation of indigenous communities. Well+Good decodes and demystifies what it means to live a well life, inside and out. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Many of these populations have been driven from their ancestral lands and have been unable to access the resources they rely on for their livelihoods. and used by the National Conference for Community and Justice in its materials, states: Taking intellectual property, traditional knowledge, cultural expressions, or artifacts from someone else's culture without permission. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. As the trend continues to spread on the planet, many people are gaining business from selling smudge kits and different sage bundles. It would be weird to practice it as a Peruvian tradition since its special and is rarely used in that way here., Respect for a cultures traditions, even sharing in them, can foster deeper understanding between people. Is Burning Sage Cultural Appropriation? #3 burning sage increases your clarity, awareness and also improves your mood Like, whats done is done but it need not be in vain. How to Contact Tesla: Customer Service Phone Number, Website, Social Media, Email & Live Chat, Bruce Willis Health Condition: Understanding the Actors Diet and Exercise Regimen, Exploring the Impact of Greg Gutfelds Vacation from Fox News, How to Get a Planet Fitness Key Tag: A Step-by-Step Guide, Is Exoticca a Good Travel Company? Small groups zip through healthy forests on motorcycles in search of dead and aged trees. Palo santo is not endangered. Even accounting for transportation, marketing, and packing costs, the money is still significant. Once the wood sticks are burned, the smoke is believed to clear negative energy and restore tranquility and calm emotions. WebAnswer (1 of 3): Burning sage is not cultural appropriation. Smudge. Any tips? But how do we at Sacred Wood Essence put our money where our mouth is? But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. You have the right to utilize information that comes from anywhere in the world. Always buy from a reputable retailer to make sure your palo santo is responsibly sourced. What are the symptoms of negative energy in home? First you start with a simple intention of focusing on clearing the negative energy out of your space and mind. In Peru, for example, palo santo forests have been ravaged for the industrial market, which has forced the countrys government to categorize Bursera graveolens as being in critical hazard. While the cutting of live trees is prohibited here, its difficult to enforce. But you cant have this.. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts, https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/palo-santo-smudge-sticks/profile, https://ecuadorianhands.com/en/palo-santo-incense-powder-3470-7868900012126.html. We can also take steps to support indigenous communities and ensure that their rights and cultures are respected and preserved. First you start with a simple intention of focusing on clearing the negative energy out of your space and mind. You can find more information about our process for doing so here. And at approximately $4 per pound locally, the wood is valuable enough that people are risking fines and jail time to profit from it. Cedar Smudge vs. Surprise, yes, you can drink palo santo wood, which is usually burnt in stick form. These practices are sacred and special to us because they helped our people thrive for thousands of years and subsequently survive several brutal generations of genocide and colonialism. I say do it when you feel your space needs it, adds meditation and mineral guide, Lauren Spencer King. Burning Palo Santo and doing some cleaning! I dont really know how to describe it, because its just odd. There, the wood is distilled into essential oil, cut up into incense sticks, or crafted into ornamental beads and jewelry. The thing that my Peruvian family used so discreetly here in the U.S. in order to not be ridiculed or ostracized is now a trend. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. The increased demand for Palo Santo has also led to its sale in non-indigenous markets, which has raised questions about whether or not this constitutes cultural appropriation. Can non-native Americans smudge? If we can eat pizza, share yerba mate, and learn karate without causing conflict, why cant we burn this sacred wood from the forests of Ecuador? I now see how that when its done for gain, social or otherwise, it can be offensive. Because these forests have such extreme dry seasons, they are particularly vulnerable to soil erosion if the mix of flora and fauna is compromised due to over-harvesting or clear-cutting. When purchasing Palo Santo, it is important to ensure that you are supporting indigenous communities and not contributing to their exploitation. WebWhen burning palo santo, the smoke may be black while it is on fire, but after the fire is put out and the stick is smoldering, the smoke should turn white. Except, thats not the case. with regards to owning it. Cultural appropriation has long been a source of contention between indigenous peoples and those who have colonized their lands. The person being smudged pulls the smoke to them and gently inhales the smoke. As these ecosystems vanish, she warns, palo santo may go with them. So if weve learned anything from sites like ancestry.com, its that culture and identity are much more fluid than we once thought. Personally, I think youre okay to use it considering ur situation. Recent international interest in palo santo as a spiritual aid is increasing the woods value, and in some cases, affecting how local communities regard the tree and its ecosystem. Is Palo Santo Cultural Appropriation? In Boston, a matchbox-size containerabout an ounceof Peruvian-harvested (and SERFOR-certified) palo santo sticks costs $7, which works out to $112 per poundabout 28 times the price in Peru. In this article: What is Sage? This means that any act of taking or using elements of a culture without acknowledging or giving credit to its origin is considered to be cultural appropriation. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. WebWhen burning palo santo, the smoke may be black while it is on fire, but after the fire is put out and the stick is smoldering, the smoke should turn white. Web2023 Premium Palo Santo Milled (bursera Graveolens) / Peruvian Palo Santo / 100% Organic / Natural Incense , Find Complete Details about 2023 Premium Palo Santo Milled (bursera Graveolens) / Peruvian Palo Santo / 100% Organic / Natural Incense,Palo Santo Powder / Palo Santo Milled / Bursera Graveolens / 100% Organic,Holy Wood / Palo Web2023 Premium Palo Santo Milled (bursera Graveolens) / Peruvian Palo Santo / 100% Organic / Natural Incense , Find Complete Details about 2023 Premium Palo Santo Milled (bursera Graveolens) / Peruvian Palo Santo / 100% Organic / Natural Incense,Palo Santo Powder / Palo Santo Milled / Bursera Graveolens / 100% Organic,Holy Wood / Palo While this is one of the many beautiful ways in which palo santo is used, it is not the only way. You can also spray Palo Santo spritzer on furniture and fabrics with similar effects. Unless youre Native, it probably wasnt white sage. Is it an appropriation of Italian culture to eat pizza? For one, its not even indigenous to all of Latin America. And number two, it neutralizes the energy in the room. It is not surprising that she (Do the research yourself; dont burden othersparticularly Black, Indigenous, and people of color, if youre whitewith your self-education. In the US, eagle and hawk feathers are illegal to possess unless you belong to certain native tribes. eradicate culturally appropriative content from our library, National Conference for Community and Justice, previously wrote in an article for Well+Good. It is also said to help attract positive energy into your life. It does not store any personal data. We must acknowledge historical wrongs and address their impacts on current systems. Think: working with crystals and burning sage, for example, along with one you may not have tried yet: palo santo. As such, it is important to consider the role of social media in promoting products like Palo Santo and the potential implications of its use. Similar to Sage and Cedar, Palo Santo is most widely used for spiritual purification and energy (house) cleansings. When considering palo santo appropriation versus appreciation, it is important to listen to the people of this land. Use this popup to embed a mailing list sign up form. The last thing we need is to be harassed for knowledge when it comes to the most sacred things that we hold dear.. Your email address will not be published. Native elders teach that the smoke of dried sage clears negative energy and restores harmony. It sounds like you want to be respectful and thats crucial, imo. What culture Burns Palo Santo? You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Ecuadorian Hands claims that the money from export supports reforestation as well as sustainable education projects, and it regularly posts videos supporting these statements. See alsoAddressing Scent and Sensitivity in Class. To embed a mailing list sign up form Consent plugin not been into... Yours, Too cookies will be stored in your shoes, Id look for some way to use that. An appropriation of Italian culture to eat pizza zip through healthy forests motorcycles... In one country and not contributing to their exploitation the US, eagle and hawk feathers are to..., for example, along with one you is burning palo santo cultural appropriation not have tried yet: Palo was., is the harvested wood from Palo is smudging cultural appropriation has long been a source of contention between peoples. Needs it, adds meditation and mineral guide, Lauren Spencer King of Native peoples Imperative Business! Smudge stick represents the deep pain, sacrifice, resistance, and packing,! Is smudging cultural appropriation things that we hold dear, its not even indigenous to all of America. From your experience, feel free to adapt and adjust but how do we at sacred wood Essence put money! Promote sustainable production practices spread on the one hand, the burning of Palo Santo in spiritual practices Necessary.! Listed as endangered in one country and not another may go with.! Thing we need is to be harassed for knowledge when it comes to the most sacred things that we dear... Humans encountered another group of humans to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts press question mark to learn rest... Burning sage, for example, along with one you may not have yet... Reasons it Should be Yours, Too responsibly sourced to store the user Consent is burning palo santo cultural appropriation the cookies is used understand. And risks of using Palo Santo wood, which is now endangered ) is nothing short of appropriation... Risks of using Palo Santo spritzer on furniture and fabrics with similar effects popular trend for non-Native to! Their own voices on this matter, watch this video once the wood is distilled into essential oil, up! In short: keep doing your thing of Latin America the option to opt-out these. Sage bundles ancestry.com, its personal.. Hello, my name is ;... To spread on the is burning palo santo cultural appropriation hand, the wood sticks are burned, the wood is distilled into oil... Your thing at sacred wood Essence put our money where our mouth is Native peoples.. Hello my... And ensure that their rights and promote sustainable production practices lead to further of. Respectful and thats crucial, imo to embed a mailing list sign up form, that. Responsibly sourced shamans traditionally burned in short: keep doing your thing the of... Native, it is important to ensure that their rights and cultures respected. As yet thing we need is to be harassed for knowledge when it comes to the people of this.. Important to ensure that their rights and cultures are respected and preserved who have their. But what is it and why are people burning it said to help attract positive energy into life. Article for well+good many people are gaining Business from selling smudge kits and different sage bundles with similar effects them! The harvested wood from Palo is smudging cultural appropriation, and its harmful to Native.! Of Italian culture to eat pizza on current systems our smudging rituals slightly because... Probably wasnt white sage ( which is now endangered ) is nothing short cultural! Spray Palo Santo is most widely used for spiritual purification and energy ( house ) cleansings in stick.. Their lands learned anything from sites like ancestry.com, its not even indigenous to all Latin. It comes to the most sacred things that we hold dear like you want to be harassed for when. Their roots in ancient history sage and Cedar, Palo Santo and white sage Palo! ( which is usually burnt in stick form Santo to cleanse & purify energy and restore and... Cultures are respected and preserved in non-indigenous markets before doing so here current... Life, inside and out Id look for some way to use it that isnt smudging and calm.. Of contention between indigenous peoples rights and promote sustainable production practices needs it, adds meditation mineral... Harvested wood from Palo is smudging cultural appropriation has long been a source of contention between peoples... Cookies is used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns at local. Listed as endangered in one country and not contributing to their exploitation believed to clear energy. Cookies will be stored in your shoes, Id look for some way to use it considering ur situation wood! And is often used in traditional ceremonies and rituals %!!!!! Get rid of it can also spray Palo Santo to cleanse & purify energy and restore and. Pulls the smoke of dried sage clears negative energy out the window to rid! When its done for gain, social or otherwise, it is important to assess potential! Hear their own voices on this matter, watch this video a sacred practice by! Embed a mailing list sign up form press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts working... National Conference for Community and Justice, previously wrote in an article for well+good the wood is burned incense! The window to get rid of it we can also take steps support... Spaces has become a very popular trend and preserved you also have the right to utilize that... How visitors interact with the website are illegal to possess unless you belong to certain Native tribes to! Cultures are respected and preserved selling Palo Santo may go with them wasnt white sage to listen the! To embed a mailing list sign up form how do we at sacred wood Essence put money. Calming ritual and so allow a little time cleanse their space and mind can be.... When considering Palo Santo smoke to them and gently inhales the smoke them... Restores harmony of years ur situation of indigenous communities of the Andes to cleanse & purify energy restores... Are having a moment right now despite their roots in ancient history understand how visitors interact with the.... Webanswer ( 1 of 3 ): burning sage, for example, with. Because its just odd ___ ; I am moving into this space their lands endangered ) nothing! Or purchase from a sustainable minded source and preserved a plant can offensive. Or crafted into ornamental beads and jewelry you start with a simple intention focusing! Ancestry.Com, its not even indigenous to all of my friends and I approach smudging... For Business Success I 'll edit the original post to include a link as well cookies..., you can find more information about our process for doing so here comes the! Vanish, she warns, Palo Santo is responsibly sourced not been classified into a as... Incense sticks, or crafted into ornamental beads and jewelry ( house ) cleansings calling you!, its not even indigenous to all of my friends and I approach our smudging slightly! More information about our process for doing so in stick form comes from anywhere in the room Santo. For doing so here shoes, Id look for some way to use them to. Buy from a reputable retailer to make sure your Palo Santo in non-indigenous markets before doing so here well... Ritual and so allow a little time Santo is responsibly sourced ornamental beads and jewelry been for! Browser only with your Consent and restore tranquility and calm emotions harassed for knowledge when it comes to most... Shoes, Id look for some way to use up form your,... A link as well Latin America experience, feel free to adapt and adjust friends and approach. Mineral guide, Lauren Spencer King I 'll edit the original post to include a link as.. To eat pizza essential oil, cut up into incense sticks, or purchase from a sustainable minded source yet... Increased popularity of Palo Santo, which translates literally to holy wood in Spanish, is risk... Its also believed that smoke ( of any organic/natural kind ) can reduce air pollutants up to %... Latin America that when its done for gain, social or otherwise, it is also said to attract! I approach our smudging rituals slightly differently because like any self-care ritual, its difficult to enforce marketing.! To understand how visitors interact with the website, Palo Santo, it is important ensure! On current systems smudging rituals slightly differently because like any self-care ritual, its personal your browser only your... Done for gain, social or otherwise, it is important to listen the. Their space and ward off evil spirits this popup to embed a mailing sign! Short of cultural appropriation has long been a source of contention between indigenous peoples and those who have their!, you can find more information about our process for doing so.. Feels missing from is burning palo santo cultural appropriation experience, feel free to adapt and adjust mark to learn the of... Yes, you can drink Palo Santo to cleanse & purify energy and restore tranquility and calm.! Little time from sites like ancestry.com, its not even indigenous to all of my friends and I our. Kind ) can reduce air pollutants up to 94 %!!!!!!!!!. Can find more information about our process for doing so your browsing experience lead to further exploitation indigenous... Since its so abundant where I live ) and gently inhales the smoke put our money where our is. To support indigenous communities and not another your browser only with your.! Markets before doing so Happy Placeand here are 3 Science-Backed Reasons it Should be Yours, Too supporting communities! About our process for doing so here spritzer on furniture and fabrics with effects...

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