Palo Santo and Indigenous Peoples This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. You have the right to utilize information that comes from anywhere in the world. It may feel good at first, but in the long run, it can cause anxiety or affect your relationships. Is smudging cultural appropriation? 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Once the wood sticks are burned, the smoke is believed to clear negative energy and restore tranquility and calm emotions. See alsoAddressing Scent and Sensitivity in Class. Is it the same thing as using sage or Palo santo? 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 popularity of Palo Santo has been largely driven by social media, with many celebrities and influencers posting pictures and videos of themselves using the product. 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 cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Its a calming ritual and so allow a little time at least 15-20 minutes to enjoy it. You can also support organizations and initiatives that are working to protect indigenous peoples rights and promote sustainable production practices. Indeed, in Ecuador, people are beginning to use the tremendous profits from the wellness market to support sustainable harvesting practices where the tree thrives. I kinda rolled my eyes at some other comments in a post similar to this. White Sage. Bundles of sticks whittled from the palo santo, a tree associated with indigenous South American rites, can still be found for $12, or $16 with a crystal thrown in. Well share a few tips on how you can use this powerful spiritual practice. 2023Well+Good LLC. What kind of sage is not cultural appropriation? The bods behind Green Gaea ensure that they educate their customers about palo santo, smudging, and the origins of their products via their website and social media pages. WebSo now we've looked at the first two reasons why smudging with sage is a really good idea, which is number one, that it removes up to 94% of bacteria in the room. It's also used to clear out negative What kind of sage is not cultural appropriation? One, known as Bulnesia sarmientoi, grows in Paraguay, Argentina, and Bolivia; this plant has indeed been placed on the Red List of Threatened Species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the leading organization dedicated to tracking global conservation of plants and animals. The ritualistic burning of Palo Santo has been practiced for thousands of years. This technique allows the local community to profit from palo santo without destroying a single tree. Well+Good decodes and demystifies what it means to live a well life, inside and out. 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. Like, whats done is done but it need not be in vain. So if youre looking for a cleansing ceremony, you might want to start by learning more about your own heritage. When it comes to Palo Santo, the issue of cultural appropriation is complicated. In this article, we will explore the current debate surrounding Palo Santo, examining its origins, the impact of cultural appropriation on indigenous communities, and the ethical considerations of selling it in non-indigenous markets. Always buy from a reputable retailer to make sure your palo santo is responsibly sourced. 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. Also, burning Palo Santo serves as a repellent for bugs and mosquitoes and is great for camping or traveling in bug-centric areas around the world. This sacred wood is used in rituals by both beginners and seasoned spiritual practitioners, and is overall such a blessing! I urge you to read Dr. Keenes entire post. WebBurning Palo Santo sticks is a great way to clear stagnant energies. (Kunth) Triana & Planch. Its time to begin smudging! Except, thats not the case. We explore everything you need to know about these incense sticks.Palo santo is having quite a moment. At Well+Good, we are committed to listening to feedback and criticism (from within our community and without), admitting when we make mistakes, and doing our homework regarding the origins of wellness practices; we have a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion curriculum in place for our editorial team to learn directly from anti-racist educators. Its also used to clear out negative energy. Palo Santo means holy wood best known for its ability to add positivity to your space whereas sage removes negativity. i'm aware that white sage and palo santo are the major no-no's when it comes to non natives burning/smudging. 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. It represents a continuing legacy of marginalizing and punishing Native spirituality." 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. Well share a few tips on how you can use this powerful spiritual practice. Thats some bad juju, so I wanted to know: Are the rumors true? Can we get the same spiritual effect from a questionably sourced box of sticks snagged on Amazon? Its not cultural appropriation. Ok noted. For example, if the demand for Palo Santo continues to rise, it could lead to increased deforestation and the displacement of indigenous populations. No chainsaws here. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. 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. Palo Santo is traditionally burned This is the tree often used for spiritual purposes. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. None of his Palo Santo is wild crafted and it is 100% farmed. It is not surprising that she So if weve learned anything from sites like ancestry.com, its that culture and identity are much more fluid than we once thought. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/palo-santo-smudge-sticks/profile I'll edit the original post to include a link as well. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. sign up for Outside+. We have been mocked, brutalized, infantilized, dehumanized, and ignored. For the latest new videos, discounts, and more! These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. 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. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. WebI know that white people burning sage and palo Santo is considered cultural appropriation, but haven't heard much about incense sticks. WebLong story short: I have Elder Futhark runes that are carved in palo santo. Many people use a feather or fan of feathers to waft the smoke during a smudging ceremony. Not to mention palo santo trees are becoming endangered due to increasing popularity. If youre using it in a quasi-spiritual way without proper knowledge or training, yes, probably. One definition of cultural appropriation, penned by Fordham School of Law professor Susan Scafidi in her book Who Owns Culture? 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 holistic origins are rooted in Latin cultures. Palo santo is a traditional remedy for pain, inflammation, and stress. It takes them an entire day to locate two fallen specimens. Not Native peoples.. Ive never really thought about it that way but have been concerned of how to acquire it without the negativity of cutting down the tree so if you could share the link thatd be awesome! If Keene says dont burn white sage, I wont. Many cultures around the globe have traditionally burned herbs, incense, or other materials as a spiritual ritual. Crypto Wallet Development: Types, Features, and Popularity, 5 Ways AI is Detecting and Preventing Identity Fraud. Incense is still used today in the Roman Catholic Church and other religions for purification. ), When Native people express to you that they are hurt by the exploitation of their spiritual practices, please believe them." We'll talk about the burning sage history and how it can be practiced today. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. As Dr. Keene summarizes: What I care about is the removal of context from conversations on cultural appropriation, the erasing of the painful and violent history around suppression of Native spirituality, the ongoing struggles Native students and peoples have in practicing their beliefs, and the non-Native companies and non-Native individuals that are making money off of these histories and traditions without understanding the harm theyre enacting., Of course, cultural appropriation doesnt just happen to Indigenous practices. We respect people, traditions, and the Earth by employing locals to collect and process the wood at the source. As the trend continues to spread on the planet, many people are gaining business from selling smudge kits and different sage bundles. It might help ease stress. Palo Santo, also known as Holy Wood, is a type of tree native to South America, particularly Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia. Ive noticed that when you do tell this to non-latins(which I am white btw), they suddenly have this have defensive nature. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Only mature plants, around 5070 years of age, develop the hearta dense, deeply resined corenecessary for distillation into an essential oil. The Palo Santo stick may be reused over and over again and will never burn out, which means an endless amount of cleansing is at your fingertips. 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. 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. 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. Is it OK to use Palo Santo? Due to overharvesting and habitat loss, the tree is near extinction. Is it okay to burn Palo Santo? What do you say when you sage your house? What are your thoughts on this? Turns out, Lorde is considering the environmental and cultural ramifications of these wellness trends. It wasnt until 1978less than 50 years agothat the American Indian Religious Freedom Act (AIRFA) was passed, guaranteeing Native Americans the freedom and protection to believe, express, and exercise [their] traditional religions., Its largely because of this historyand the restrictions still placed on Native traditions todaythat the mainstream co-opting of Indigenous spiritual practices is so harmful to many. 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