Question by KyleZaya: What do you Native Americans think of the “tribal” fashion trend?
Even though I’m not Native American (I’m Filipino, actually), I think that the “tribal” trend going on is offensive to Native Americans (by Native Americans I mean every individual tribe from Canada to Mexico). The trend is basically decreasing the culture/worth of the Native American communities it’s “inspired” by. First it’s dressing up as a stereotypical Native American for Halloween, now it’s for “fashion”. What are your opinions? Shouldn’t this be considered stealing?
ALSO: If you’re answering as “part” Native American (“my ancestor was a Cherokee princess”, “I’m 1/16th”, etc) don’t bother. Just answer as an individual with your own problems, and I’ll respect you for who you are.
Best answer:
Answer by American Baby
I don’t think I really count in this. But I think the “tribal” fashion trend is beautiful. I’ve always liked a tribal sort of style (not necessarily pertaining to Native Americans, but any tribal trend, African, etc.) So I enjoy wearing clothes as such.
As for dressing up as someone for Halloween, I don’t really see the difference between dressing up as a geisha, or Italian Opera singer, or pilgrim, right? I can see if you make it offensive, but just to dress up, I see nothing wrong with it.
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
“The tribal style originates from the old tribes like the Celtic, the Maori tribes, the Haida tribes, the inhabitants of the Marquesan and the tribes of Borneo. What a lot of people now recognize as Tribal is in fact a new style: New Tribalism are the remains of the old Tribal style. Particularly the Borneo style shows a lot of resemblance with New Tribalism.”
Tribal tattoos come from many different places… From Ireland and New Zealand to Borneo. Many of the current tribal tattoos don’t resemble any of history’s tribal tattoos and is in fact a totally new style in it’s own. The word Tribal can mean any tribe anywhere so I don’t think it’s particularly offensive to anyone.
I have a blog dedicated to yelling at people for these things.
I hate it.