The wedding sparked widespread discussion on social media platforms about the boundaries between cultural appropriation and cultural exchange.
Idols SA winner Musa Skwene and his bride Chiamo Makama recently tied the knot in an intimate ceremony, sparking a heated debate about cultural appropriation in South Africa.
The couple's chosen outfit, designed by BMashilo Designs, was a bold fusion of South African and Nigerian cultural elements, and drew both praise and criticism from fans and social media users alike.
Controversial wedding attire choices
The newlyweds' attire, particularly the combination of Makama's traditional Nigerian gel (headwrap) and gown featuring intricate beading, lacework and Shweshwe prints, was the focus of controversy.
While some praised the fusion of cross-cultural fashion, others expressed anger at the couple's decision to wear “Nigerian attire” to their South African wedding.
Nigerian fashion designer Ify Ubby, founder of OliveAnkara, explained the cultural importance of gel to Vogue magazine, explaining that gel is a symbol of elegance and maturity worn by adult women in Nigerian culture. did.
“Head wraps, called gels, are part of women's traditional attire in my culture. Adult women, usually over the age of 20, wear gels as a symbol of elegance and maturity. If you are attending an event like a wedding or party, you will often wear gels in a uniform color,” says Uby.
However, this explanation did little to allay the concerns of some South African and Nigerian netizens who deemed the couple's attire inappropriate.
ALSO READ: 'She really did it': American Makoti's fluent Sepedi wedding speech leaves husband and SA in awe
Social media backlash and cultural appropriation debate
The wedding sparked widespread discussion on social media platforms about the boundaries between cultural appropriation and cultural exchange.
Many users questioned the appropriateness of wearing traditional clothing from a culture different from one's own, and some drew comparisons to hypothetical scenarios of cultural mixing in other situations.
Comments range from calls for designers to “stop making gel for South Africans” to the impact of wearing traditional dress from another culture, especially when the bride and groom are not from that culture. This ranges from a more nuanced discussion of
“Designers should stop making gel for South Africans,” @keahendricks said on X.
“As a South African, what's the point of wearing gel when you're not even married to a Nigerian man? We literally have our own heritage!!” Koketso said in a debate. added.
“Imagine a Nigerian woman wearing a Zulu costume when marrying a Nigerian man. Personally, I don't think this makes sense. Not just other nationalities, but other cultures. It's the same for both the groom and the bride, if they don't belong to that culture, they shouldn't wear the costumes of that culture,” said @KgopoloMphuthi.
“Why are they wearing Nigerian traditions?” asked @sewelankoana.
Why are they wearing Nigerian traditions?
— SewelaNkoana (@sewelankoana) October 7, 2024
Designer reactions and broader cultural context
In response to the criticism, the designer said: news 24 defended the couple's choices and labeled the negative comments as persistent Afrophobia.
She emphasized that celebrating elements of another culture does not necessarily mean ignoring one's own culture.
“African culture has always been about intercultural exchange and this fusion is neither new nor taboo. It recognizes our shared history as a people,” she said.
Also read: “This is a great testament” – Dante Poole on his first SAFTA nomination
Controversy over Cultural Heritage Day
The incident has reignited the debate over cultural appropriation in South Africa, which extends beyond borders to include discussions about cross-cultural exchange within the country.
This debate highlights the complex nature of cultural identity and expression in a country as diverse as South Africa.
TikTok creator Chulu Ntutela criticized white South Africans wearing traditional costumes from other cultures during these celebrations, viewing it as a form of cultural appropriation rather than true cultural sharing. expressed strong opposition.
“I don't want to see white people wearing our culture on Heritage Day. I'm sick of the cultural appropriation I see on Heritage Day. It disgusts me.
“The false unity we have at Heritage Day is the same as the unity we have at rugby.” [when the Springboks play]. As you make this sharing, ask yourself what you are being given. “What have I shared with you so far? And when you look at the distribution of wealth in this country, there's no sharing,” she said.
Ntutela's video attracted well over 2,000 comments, most of which agreed with her sentiments.
See comments below.
@Zama: “It all started when we made Buddha's Day a cultural heritage day. Kwakara Rana.”
@Jongwanaa: “'I don't know how to embrace my South African heritage' because of Aunayo!”
@Vuyo Mqobi: “I very much agree because they just wear whatever they want without understanding the meaning. So umbako gombi nonbako womfazi.”
@cntutela To make matters worse, I knew someone in that comment section, so ndixakiwe nyani. There's a lot to say about this and the video is already long, but I'd like to use your comments to expand on some of my points. #heritageday #heritage #southafrica #traditionalclothes #traditionalattire #fyp ♬ Original song – ManicPixieNightmare🧚🏾