Traditions of Peru > Synchretism

Synchretism

SYNCHRETISM
The Practice of Two or More Beliefs by a Person or Culture    
I have heard and seen many people asking how a person can profess to be a Christian Witch.  This is not a difficult thing to understand when you are familiar with synchretism.  Synchretism occurs when parts of two belief systems are melded to form another or when both systems are believed and practiced at the same time.  This often occurs when a dominant religion, such as Christianity, brings on certain social, cultural, or political demands upon people to believe a certain way or find themselves suffering from severe consequences which may include anything from being ostracized to being put to death for their beliefs.
    This synchretism is very widespread and occurs anywhere the dominant religion or belief is not tolerant of the beliefs of all or even a part of the population.  The dominant belief was often forced upon the people such as the Mayan peoples of Mexico and the people of South America, or the African cultures who were brought through the Carribean and sold into slavery.  Such examples are found in places like Haiti, Surinam and Brazil where a Ritual dualism occurs among the population of African descent.  In these cases Saints of the Catholic church are identified.  The Dahomean trickster god Legba has been fused with Saint Anthony (both are identified with poverty); Saint Patrick, who is credited with chasing the snakes out of Ireland has been identified with Dambella, the Dahomean Rainbow Serpent.  Among Native Americans there exists a duality of traditional beliefs.  One example of this would be among the Pueblo culture where the people would attend Catholic Mass on Sunday and still practice there beliefs on the appropriate days.

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