Kim Kardashian accused of cultural appropriation after posting controversial new photo
Kim Kardashian is no stranger to controversy... or rather, being slammed with accusations of cultural appropriation.
Whether she's opted for fulani braids, or long, textured ponytail extensions that look like the Yaki braiding style that black women have been wearing for decades, the people of the internet won't hesitate to brand her a "culture vulture".
And she's done it again. Yesterday, the 38-year-old took to Instagram to post a photo where she's wearing a white dress, accessorised with a gold Indian headpiece and matching earrings. She wore the outfit to her husband, Kanye West's exclusive Sunday Service gathering.
The headpiece is traditionally worn by Indian women for the first time on their wedding day. The "maang tikkaa" is placed on the bride's hairline, and it features a drop pendant which rests on the forehead.
It is one of 16 traditional Indian bridal adornments, known as the solah shringaar.
People were quick to slam the Keeping Up with the Kardashians star. "Of course, you have to disrespect the indian culture cause u think its a costume. I forgot u were shameless [sic]," wrote one Instagram user, while another corroborated "Nope, Kim. Definitely not here for it. This is Asian heritage, not your damn costume!!!"
"For those of you who don’t know, the maang tikka is a ceremonial head piece traditionally worn by the bride. Wearing white in India is traditionally reserved for funerals. On top of that she wore this to a Christain service. If she wore the maang tikka to a traditional Indian event I’d KINDA get it like oh she tried... but idk. She probably thought it was just jewelry, but when that piece has literally been used for centuries wouldn’t you kinda think there must be some sort of significant meaning held towards it? Especially in a country known for its culture? Idk. For somebody who has been to India and has posed on India Vogue I kinda thought she assumed this much [...] I still love her, but her whole outfit is contradictory," wrote a third.
Some, however, came to Kim's defence. "Love this look!, I love how you embrace different cultures and different things we all think are beautiful!" asserted one social media user.
Kim has defended herself in the past against accusations of cultural appropriation.
"I actually did that look because North said she wanted braids and asked if I would do them with her," she told Bustle regarding the fulani braids controversy.
"I [do] remember the backlash when I had the blonde hair and that I called them ‘Bo Derek braids.’ But I obviously know they’re called fulani braids and I know the origin of where they came from and I’m totally respectful of that. I’m not tone deaf to where I don’t get it. I do get it."