Syncretism

Syncretism is the attempt to reconcile disparate, even opposing, beliefs and to meld practices of various schools of thought. It is especially associated with the attempt to merge and analogize several originally discrete traditions, especially in the theology and mythology of religion, and thus assert an underlying unity.

Syncretism in the Caribbean

The process of syncretism in the Caribbean region is often referred to as creolization. The term creole is used to describe anyone, regardless of race or ethnicity, who was born and raised in the region. The shared histories of the Caribbean islands include long periods European Imperialism (mainly by Spain, France and Britain), the importation of African slaves (primarily from Central and Western Africa), and the domination of the sugar industry across the region. The influences of each of the above on the islands, in varying degrees were woven together producing the fabric of society that exists today in the Caribbean.

Related Topics:
Caribbean - Creole - Imperialism - Spain - France - Britain - Slaves - Africa - Sugar

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The Rastafari movement, founded in Jamaica, is highly syncretic, mixing elements from the Bible, Marcus Garvey's Back-to-Africa movement, and Caribbean culture.

Related Topics:
Rastafari movement - Jamaica - Bible - Marcus Garvey's

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Another highly syncretic religion of the area is voodoo, which combines elements of Western African, native Caribbean, and Christian (especially Roman Catholic) beliefs.

Related Topics:
Voodoo - Christian - Roman Catholic

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