Adele Accused Of Cultural Appropriation After Sharing Photo With Hair In Traditional African Bantu Knots

Adele has been accused of cultural appropriation after sharing a photo of herself on Sunday wearing her hair in Bantu knots, a traditionally African style.

In the post, the singer is pictured wearing the hairstyle, along with a Jamaican flag bikini, yellow feathers, gold jewelry and tie-dye leggings. In the caption she wrote, “Happy what would be Notting Hill Carnival my beloved London,” referencing the British celebration of Caribbean culture that would have taken place around this time, if not for the COVID-19 pandemic.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CEh6gF5AwXh/?utm_source=ig_embed

The Instagram post has garnered more than 4.6 million likes and almost 100,000 comments.

Many of the comments across social media accused the “Hello” singer of cultural appropriation for wearing the historically black hairstyle.

“Many are arguing that Adele was showing appreciation for Carnival and Caribbean culture with her look,” wrote journalist Ateh Jewel for Glamour, “but appreciation turns into appropriation when it’s worn as a party outfit and taken off again and deposed off.”

“Non-Black people need to stop wearing historically black hairstyles for fun,” wrote drag queen The Vixen. “Simply out of respect for the fact that we still to this day are mocked-shamed-targeted and killed for wearing those styles.”

“If 2020 couldn’t get anymore bizarre, Adele is giving us Bantu knots and cultural appropriation that nobody asked for,” wrote journalist Ernest Owens. “This officially marks all of the top white women in pop as problematic. Hate to see it.”

Others came to the singer’s defense, supporting the look.

“You just broke that internet Henny. 💖🙌🏼” actress Lisa Rinna commented on the post.

“You look right at home guurrrl,” commented Zoe Saldana.

Many argued that she was appreciating the culture by participating in a celebration that aims to promote interracial tolerance.

“Poppycock! This humbug totally misses the spirit of Notting Hill Carnival and the tradition of “dress up” or “ masquerade.” Adele was born and raised in Tottenham she gets it more than most. Thank you Adele. Forget the Haters,” wrote Tottenham’s Labour Member of Parliament David Lammy.

“The Notting Hill Carnival is for every resident in every community. Dressing up is part of it. This diversity needs to be celebrated and Adele hasn’t done anything wrong here. People need to stop creating division where there is none,” agreed London’s Conservative candidate for mayor Shaun Bailey.