I have used this phrase a lot, but in the last couple of years I’ve seen usage of this phrase by folks who aren’t Native Americans start to come under fire. I think it’s because it appropriates and makes light of Native American culture.
While I’m not trying to be the woke police, I understand that saying this is a bit of a buzzkill in a lighthearted and fun post. I’m not here to stop you, but to give you info so you can make your own decisions.
Interesting, never really considered it like that, I’m Scottish so have heard it referenced in pop culture and such without really much thought of origins. I know that witches have familiars, shamans have animal spirits in their belief systems and many modern pagans revere wild animals too so it may be the word choice itself?
I agree it’s interesting - I tried digging into it this morning, and answers are all over the place. I think you’re right though, the specific word choice is what’s problematic.
Is it though? Often these days people like to white knight about cultural appropriation. Especially white people. This in itself, if unfounded, can be offensive. Sharing culture is has been immensely important in human history, and enriches cultures at large. If even a minority of a cultural has voiced it’s dissent on how another culture has been using an aspect the first culture however, that’s when there is a serious problem. I would say the only way to truly know is to ask Native Americans. Although as others have mentioned, this concept one is in a few different peoples, my point remains I think. It’s up to the culture who the concept belongs to to decide whether or not is being misused, corrupted, and/or callously and unfairly adopted, not privileged individuals who have nothing better to do than get a rush from taking umbrage. That all being said, it is a tricky thing. How we gonna go ask every culture if it’s okay to adopt this or that aspect?
even though I’m pretty sure that’s a rhetorical question, I’m just gonna answer anyway, that it’s not practical.
I think with the internet and all, cultures will interact, clash, sometimes merge, change, mutate. It’s really hard to keep track of everything. I believe that it’s important to keep this in mind, to continue learning while still maintaining sensitivity, empathy and tolerance towards one another.
In this context of language and appropriation, I believe people should be open to learn, but not necessarily expected to always know, about the contexts and use of a potential controversial choice of words or language. At the same time, we should be empathetic to each other, no one knows everything, so help each other instead of berating and isolating one another.
There may be some notions that are really specific to a very small minority. Simultaneously, similar concepts and ideas may arise independently across the world from different cultures throughout different times in history. Sometimes, they are “born” due to culture interactions as well. Due to such complexity, instead of being too defensive or offensive, maybe it’s better if we are a bit tolerable when we can. Don’t always assume the worst. Continue to educate ourselves and have patience to educate others.
Similar notions exist in numerous cultures. Sometimes we call them spirit animals, sometimes familiars, sometimes bond creatures, and so on. Anyone who says it’s a “their culture” thing is by their own logic not being reverent to other cultures.
True. To give a few links: Witches had Familiar spirits in medieval times. There are Chinese zodiac signs that are supposed to give you certain character traits. And shamans have been a thing way, way before Columbus discovered america.
I think the idea belongs to every human culture since humans started domesticating animals.
I have used this phrase a lot, but in the last couple of years I’ve seen usage of this phrase by folks who aren’t Native Americans start to come under fire. I think it’s because it appropriates and makes light of Native American culture.
Not wanting to cause someone else discomfort or pain, is not about being "offended" on their behalf. We need to get away from this "offfence" paradigm and back to the human. We are all people. Let's treat each other with respect.
If you genuinely want to know "which tribe specifically", start here with the big picture:
Individual totemism is widely disseminated. It is found not only among tribes of hunters and harvesters but also among farmers and herdsmen. Individual totemism is especially emphasized among the Australian Aborigines and the American Indians.
Group totemism was traditionally common among peoples in Africa, India, Oceania (especially in Melanesia), North America, and parts of South America. These peoples include, among others, the Australian Aborigines, the African Pygmies, and various Native American peoples—most notably the Northwest Coast Indians (predominantly fishermen), California Indians, and Northeast Indians. Moreover, group totemism is represented in a distinctive form among the Ugrians and west Siberians (hunters and fishermen who also breed reindeer) as well as among tribes of herdsmen in north and Central Asia.
The snake animal meaning is powerfully connected to life force and primal energy. In many cultures, it is revered as a powerful totem representing the source of life.
When the snake spirit animal appears in your life, it likely means that healing opportunities, change, important transitions, and increased energy are manifesting.”
I don’t really know how this spirit animal thing works, but that’s the answer I got from some online quiz. If it’s on the internet, it has to be true, right.
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