If Madonna had worn a sari, everyone would be up in arms about cultural appropriation. Because Amazigh / Imazghen (Berber) culture isn’t as well known, the VMA fashion police are only showing off their own ignorance.
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For everyone dragging Madonna’s VMA look, go for the cultural appropriation outrage angle, instead of mocking the jewelry itself as “witchdoctor,” etc. She’s wearing Amazigh adornment (aka Berbers, the indigenous people of North Africa).pic.twitter.com/C5t477JK16
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Amazigh (Berber) cultures are beautiful, complex, and one major factor that differentiates North Africa from the Middle East. I’m not defending Madonna here, but pointing out that the mockery reproduces homogenizing, Orientalist ignorance.
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You’ve all heard of Al-Andalus / Andalusia / Islamic Spain, right (I hope, at least)? Anyway, the Amazigh (Berber) people were a key part of the Muslim empires that went on to constitute Iberia’s Islamic Golden Age.
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So if you’d like a little more info on the rich cultural history Madonna’s VMA outfit coopted, you may be surprised to learn how much of modern European science and learning is rooted in Amazigh (Berber) Muslim cultures. Read up on your North African and Andalusian history.pic.twitter.com/Kehl3UvBZH
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Amazigh (Berber) people have endured through multiple waves of colonization, and survived cultural/linguistic eradication by many North African state Arabization policies. Madonna’s VMA outfit is cultural appropriation, yes — but those mocking her clothing offend me far more.
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Fun fact: Morocco has the highest demographic percentage of Amazigh (Berber) inhabitants. Morocco was the very first country to recognize the United States as an independent nation. So, Madonna mockers — Amazigh cultural contributions include the VMA’s host country.
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If Madonna wore a Native American war bonnet to the VMAs, the appropriation would set everyone off — and so too (rightly) would mockery of the aesthetic. If you claim to champion the Indigenous of this country, read up on their brothers and sisters elsewhere.
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@Madonna even referenced the source of her VMA attire before the awards. Look things up before you mock the aesthetic.#Amazigh#Berberpic.twitter.com/qei3pSuFnL
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Since we’re talking about Madonna and the VMAs, let me introduce you to an Algerian musician: Idir (his name means “life”). Amazigh women are legendary for their folk tales, and this musician pays homage to the cultures’ gorgeous music.https://youtu.be/TYwFrgJtRVo
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If you speak French, let Idir sing the praises of Amazigh women’s strength for you here (and all women): https://youtu.be/t0emmvJIl-8 I hope Madonna’s VMA clothing — at the least — brings a bit more exposure to the phenomenal resilience, music, and culture of Amazigh (Berber) people.
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And that concludes my morning Twitter rant on Amazigh (Berber) culture, Madonna, and the VMAs. Eid Mubarak to those celebrating! (You can also Google that, since you’re here.)
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This was a very insightful thread on the headpieces itself:https://twitter.com/SaharAmarir/status/1030546050963197952 …
THREAD: Something that really is bothering me as a Moroccan Amazigh is that neither those accusing#Madonna of#culturalappropriation nor those defending her are actually talking about this headpiece and its history. Read below for a little but real sneakpeek of it
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Thank you!
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Thank you for taking the time to explain the rich history of Amazigh and Nort Africa. And you have earned one new follower.
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Awww! You’ve made my day!
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Now you earned Two
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What’s a VMA, please?
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Video Music Awards
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Thanks very much.
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