Cultural Appropriation: Why You Should Be Wary of Some Drum Making Workshops

In a context where awareness of cultural appropriation is increasingly important, it is crucial to pay particular attention to companies that offer workshops for making cultural objects without a deep understanding of their meaning. A worrying example is that of a Quebec company that offers workshops for making drums inspired by Indigenous traditions.

What is cultural appropriation?

Cultural appropriation occurs when elements of one culture are taken and used by another culture without proper respect or understanding, often for commercial purposes. This can include sacred symbols, spiritual practices, or cultural objects, whose meaning is reduced to a mere consumer product.

Risks associated with drum manufacturing workshops

Drums play a central role in many Indigenous cultures, serving as means of communication, spiritual tools, and community symbols. When a business hosts drum-making workshops without a true connection to First Nations cultural traditions, several issues can arise:

1. Lack of respect for traditions : Drum-making workshops can trivialize deep spiritual practices by turning them into mere craft activities for the uninitiated.

2. Commercial Exploitation : By selling these drums as consumer products, the company is able to profit from a culture it does not understand or respect, while neglecting the deeper meanings and values ​​associated with them. This impacts the Indigenous artisans who produce them and attempt to make a living from them.

3. Devaluation of Indigenous artisans : Indigenous artisans who authentically perpetuate these traditions may find themselves marginalized and their practices devalued by the mass production and industrialization of cultural objects.

How to Identify and Avoid Cultural Appropriation

To avoid supporting companies that participate in cultural appropriation, it is essential to:

- Seek compliance : Ensure that workshops are led by Indigenous people with a connection to the cultural traditions they teach, and that they respect Indigenous practices and knowledge.

- Check the sources : The materials used must come from sources that are respectful and comply with laws concerning cultural and spiritual practices.

- Consult Indigenous communities : Indigenous communities are the best sources of information to assess the legitimacy of the practices and workshops proposed.

As consumers, it is our responsibility to educate ourselves and ensure that our choices do not contribute to cultural appropriation. By avoiding drum workshops that do not respect Indigenous traditions, we support authentic practices and preserve the cultural richness of First Nations. Let us be vigilant and respectful of the cultures whose traditions we celebrate.

To learn more about the impacts of cultural appropriation in Quebec, also read this article on ESPACE INDIGENOUS .