The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". 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 there will always remain the thornier question of cultural appropriation and smudging. Its not about ownership. That smudge stick represents the deep pain, sacrifice, resistance, and refusal of Native peoples. Its about power., Dr. Keene continues, The sale of Native spirituality is easily a million dollar industrynot even including all the culture vultures and white shamans who sell fake ceremony. In a 2018 essay published on her Native Appropriations bloga forum for discussing representations of Native peoplesshe penned a tremendously moving argument against non-indigenous use of smudging sticks. Palo santo is a traditional remedy for pain, inflammation, and stress. Find out what your own ancestors may have burned for cleansing, and use that. Once they do, they field-dress the trunks with machetes by hacking away at the termite-softened bark to reveal the trees heart, then pack the wood into woven bags, strap it to the backs of their bikes, and return to the manufacturing area. The ritualistic burning of Palo Santo has been practiced for thousands of years. WebThis persecution at the hands of the government is precisely what makes the burning of sage by non-Natives a classic case of cultural appropriation. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. On the other hand, some people point out that burning Palo Santo is not cultural appropriation but rather an appreciation. Our communities have seen so much pain. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Therefore, it is important to assess the potential benefits and risks of using Palo Santo in spiritual practices. But if someone is genuinely using it for the spiritual purpose its intended, then Id say let it slide. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Culture should be spread not confined. 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 Heres How, Craving an Intense Workout? And palo santo trees produce the finest oils when they die naturally and sit on the forest floor for several years. Currency CAD $ CAD $ USD $ About. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Do you have to open windows when burning Palo Santo? I know youre not used to hearing you cant have something. The original practice of smudging has not only lost its intent, but it is starting to bring about devastation to the plants natural habitats. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Palo Santo Appropriation vs Appreciation When honoring and enjoying palo santo in the western world, are we participating in a well-intentioned but disrespectful case of cultural appropriation instead of the appreciation we intend? The smoke from burning Palo Santo has many benefits including purifying the air and clearing out bad vibes. Surprise, yes, you can drink palo santo wood, which is usually burnt in stick form. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Its a calming ritual and so allow a little time . Thats some bad juju, so I wanted to know: Are the rumors true? The other side to the argument is about cultural appropriation when burning white sage and smudging. #3 burning sage increases your clarity, awareness and also improves your mood The act of burning things to energetically cleanse and protect our energy field and surroundings spans across nations and cultures. Web2023 Peruvian Premium Palo Santo Slim Sticks / Bursera Graveolens Wood Slim Sticks / 100 % Organic , Find Complete Details about 2023 Peruvian Premium Palo Santo Slim Sticks / Bursera Graveolens Wood Slim Sticks / 100 % Organic,Palo Santo Stick / Palo Santo Wood / 100 % Organic / Incense Stick,Palo Santo Sticks / Holly Wood / Natural To quote Luger again, writing for Well+Good, When Native people express to you that they are hurt by the exploitation of their spiritual practices, please believe them. Palo Santo is derived from South America and is commonly used in purification rituals. On the other hand, it has also led to overharvesting of the trees and the exploitation of these communities. It represents a continuing legacy of marginalizing and punishing Native spirituality." Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Native elders teach that the smoke of dried sage clears negative energy and restores harmony. Wondering whether burning sage is cultural appropriation is a fair question long story short, burning sage is problematic for a few reasons, the biggest being cultural insensitivity and environmental unsustainability. Waft the smoke with a turkey feather (optional). Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Even accounting for transportation, marketing, and packing costs, the money is still significant. I love the smell of incense Break Out Your Crayons, Yes, You Can Eat to Boost Your Energy. This will throw some flowers which carry the seeds. Indeed, in Ecuador, people are beginning to use the tremendous profits from the wellness market to support sustainable harvesting practices where the tree thrives. 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. Adrienne J. Keene, EdD, In a post on her blog Native Appropriations, Adrienne J. Keene, EdD, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation and Assistant Professor of American Studies and Ethnic Studies at Brown University, also speaks to this point. I want to state my intention of creating a home for myself here, living in reciprocity with the spirits that are present. When it comes to Palo Santo, the issue of cultural appropriation is complicated. What Your Sun Sign in Astrology Says About You. 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. Recently she traveled to northern Peru where palo santo grows and spoke with the farmers who cultivate it (possibly illegally). But its so important to know the difference!. Then, direct or push the energy out the window to get rid of it. I also dont want to use it out of respect of others. The work to dismantle white supremacy is constant and ongoing, and so will be Well+Goods on this front. Unlock new opportunities and expand your reach by joining our authors team. However that white sage is getting overcultivated, its not on the endangered list because its also easy to grow. A Step-by-Step Guide for Musicians. WebBurning Palo Santo sticks is a great way to clear stagnant energies. We respect people, traditions, and the Earth by employing locals to collect and process the wood at the source. What are the symptoms of negative energy in home? These practices keep us strong as we continue to deal with historical trauma., "That smudge stick represents the deep pain, sacrifice, resistance, and refusal of Native peoples. In this article: What is Sage? no one that petty is worth knowing. Crypto Wallet Development: Types, Features, and Popularity, 5 Ways AI is Detecting and Preventing Identity Fraud. Firstly, there is the question of whether it is morally acceptable to sell a product that has been taken from its native region and is being sold for a much higher price than what the indigenous people receive for it. But what is it and why are people burning it? This is cultural appropriation, and its harmful to Native communities. WebMy supplier farms Palo Santo (which is actually fairly fast growing). If youre not a member of an Indigenous community, purchasing white sage, Palo Santo, or other sacred herbs and quickly Googling how to smudge will not make So in theory, if you are careful and do your research, your palo santo purchase may support positive development in certain regions. By understanding the issues surrounding the cultural appropriation of Palo Santo, we can make informed decisions about how to ethically purchase and use the product. Get it daily. It represents a continuing legacy of marginalizing and punishing Native spirituality. As long as its for yourself, its fine! This is probably due to not lighting the Palo Santo stick long enough. Its holistic origins are rooted in Latin cultures. 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. 4 Mistakes That Are Causing You to Waste Money on Skin-Care Serums, According to an Esthetician, These Are the Best Anti-Chafing Denim ShortsAccording to Some Very Happy Reviewers. This term refers to the use of objects or elements of a non-dominant culture in a way that: To read more on this topic, this website is a great place to start!Of course, in the world we live in today, it can be hard to know where a particular cultural element originated from, and where the boundaries lie. For example, if the demand for Palo Santo continues to rise, it could lead to increased deforestation and the displacement of indigenous populations. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Once you have your intention in mind, light the Sage or Palo Santo and hold at a 45 degree angle pointing the tip down towards the flame. doesnt mattered if its used spiritually for natives you cant use a specific sage out of respect. Is it OK to use Palo Santo? Is it okay to burn Palo Santo? Additional Questions. The sale of Palo Santo in non-indigenous markets raises a number of ethical considerations. Since 2010, according to the UN, tens of thousands of saplings have been planted in this fragile landscape to support the next generation of oil harvesting. It's an attempt to collectively take a critical look at the term 'cultural appropriation' yet also bringing awareness to this important and often misunderstood topic. If youre non-indigenous, should you even be using palo santo as a spiritual aid? (Note: Is this article not meeting your expectations? While this is one of the many beautiful ways in which palo santo is used, it is not the only way. Table of Contents. For anyone who currently uses palo santo or is interested, I did find a website that gets theirs from fallen trees, as per tradition. With its long, shallow roots, this tree thrives in tropical dry forests from Mexico to Peru, in areas that undergo severe droughts for up to seven months at a time. It hurts to see our traditions, which our ancestors died and fought for, now become a trend that others are demanding to be a part of, Well for Culture co-founder Chelsey Luger previously wrote in an article for Well+Good. Many of my family members said that they would look down on and disapprove of someone who uses it spiritually since its uncommonly used in Peru nowadays. WebShe outlines many challenges associated with the appropriation of indigenous knowledge with respect to Western shamanism. I've done some reading and palo santo is similar in that it's a tool used primarily in Latine witchcraft similar to smudging (primarily in Mexico and South America). (You can also drink sage, another commonly burned object.). In the US, eagle and hawk feathers are illegal to possess unless you belong to certain native tribes. What grows there? First you start with a simple intention of focusing on clearing the negative energy out of your space and mind. Is Burning Sage Cultural Appropriation? Whats in abundance? ), To avoid cultural appropriation, its important to research the history of trends before blindly hopping on the bandwagon. 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. Its true, smudging with palo santo has reached latest-craze status. Legend has it that early residents of SoCal were so inspired by a lovely holly-like bush that they were inspired to call their new digs Hollywood. 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Has been practiced for thousands of years sticks is a great way to clear energies... Some bad juju, so i wanted to know the difference! of your space mind! Wood, which is actually fairly fast growing ) GDPR cookie consent to the... And stress your Crayons, yes, you can also drink sage, another commonly burned object. ) represents! Also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and is burning palo santo cultural appropriation how you use this.. Latest-Craze status represents the deep pain, sacrifice, resistance, and refusal of Native.! Have to open windows when burning white sage and smudging cultivate it ( illegally. By non-Natives a is burning palo santo cultural appropriation case of cultural appropriation is complicated, which actually! Smoke with a simple intention of creating a home for myself here, living in reciprocity with the farmers cultivate... Restores harmony trees produce the finest oils when they die naturally and sit on the floor. 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