Strictly Come Dancing accused of cultural appropriation over Halloween Week 'Day of the Dead' dance
Strictly Come Dancing put on a suitably spooky evening for its annual Halloween Week, but not everyone was impressed by all of the dances.
The competition’s opening number saw the remaining celebrities join the professional dancers in Mexican-themed outfits, for a performance to Harry Belafonte’s “Jump in the Line”, which featured sombreros, skulls and Day of the Dead iconography.
While it was noted at the beginning of the performance by a voiceover that this was a tribute to the Day of the Dead, many fans on social media called out the theme and branded it “cultural appropriation”, observing that the Day of the Dead is not the same as Halloween. Others were unhappy with the use of a Calypso song against traditional Mexican traditions.
Love @bbcstrictly but Dia de los Muertos aka ‘day of the dead’ should not be a halloween costume or theme, it’s cultural appropriation 😬🙃
— katie (@KatieeeReid) October 27, 2018
Folks, there are so many hallowe'en styles to go without festishising the Day of the Dead. Yes, Strictly, I'm looking at you.
— Appalling Erlking (@pollyrowena) October 28, 2018
#Strictly Really? Day of the Dead celebrated with a calypso song?? Yes, I get the Beetlejuice connection but many won't. Must do better.
— Lola (@LolaAsekun) October 28, 2018
Did the bbc not get the memo that we’re not appropriating Day of the Dead anymore? That was such a messy group dance, in more ways than one. #strictly
— Caitlin (@la_faerie) October 27, 2018
awwwwww lord strictly... who thought this day of the dead dance would be appropriate... #StrictlyComeDancing
— katy (@kty_nope) October 27, 2018
In Mexico, the Day of the Dead – or Día de Muertos – is celebrated on 2 November. The traditional holiday marks the passing of friends and family, and supports them on their spiritual journey.
Strictly viewers will find out which couple will be the latest to leave the ballroom later this evening, following a public vote and dance-off between the couples with the lowest score – the four judges will decide which one to save and which one to send home.
Watch the week six dance-off on 27 October, BBC One at 7.50pm
