The Story Behind Madonna's Silver Horns At The VMAs

Madonna is no stranger to controversy, and she stirred it again last night when she showed up to the MTV Video Music Awards on Monday night wearing jewelry and garb from North Africa's Amazigh people "It's a little insulting how people are just saying, 'What is she wearing?' and making fun of it without trying to find out about it," says Cynthia Becker, an associate professor of African art at Boston University, who specializes in Amazigh art Becker says the aesthetic of a strong Amazigh woman is conveyed through the jewelry.

Amazigh women haven't worn this kind of jewelry and garb in their daily life since the 1960s, according to Becker As for Madonna co-opting the style for herself? Becker says she's not wearing a traditional outfit anyway The pieces themselves are "An amalgamation of styles from different parts of southwestern Morocco," her braids are very common in the area of Guelmim, in southern Morocco, and at least one of her bracelets is South African beadwork.

As for the issue of cultural appropriation: Becker's husband, Addi Ouadderrou, a Moroccan Amazigh, says he understands the concern but it doesn't bother him. . Source