Cultural Syncretism
Cultural Syncretism
Abstract
The concept of cultural syncretism exists when two different cultures combine their ancient beliefs of the past to create new traditions and/or beliefs. There are several cultural factors that influenced both Africa and the Americas such as weaponry, technological advancements, medical and religious. China and India’s values were quite different when it came to cultural beliefs. They would isolate themselves from outside traditions, which made them more resistant to syncretism.
Cultural Syncretism
Syncretism is the process by which cultures are merged, generally between traditional culture and traits of an introduced culture. This process was especially pronounced in the Americas with the introduction of colonial culture with the colonization of both North and South America. Although the African and Latin America cultures blended, both India and China resisted the Western culture.
Africa and Cultural Syncretism
As the Europeans expanded to and explored new regions, they introduced religion, technology, customs, weapons and medicine. These alone could have a great impact on existing cultures, although after military force was added to the syncretism, it became largely one sided. Although a large part of African culture derived from the European’s language, religion, and customs, only some of the African cultures and rituals were adapted by the Europeans. The Africans were able to benefit from a technological aspect from this exchange of cultures with more advanced weapons, medicine and agriculture (Sayre, 2010). In the Americas, the Europeans had much the same effect on the culture. The methodology and technology made it easier for the Europeans to adapt their culture to the natives of the Americas as they were more accepting of the change (Sayre, 2010).
The Chinese were less influenced and resisted the cultural changes of outsiders, mainly because their culture was older and more advanced technologically then the west. The Chinese
Abstract
The concept of cultural syncretism exists when two different cultures combine their ancient beliefs of the past to create new traditions and/or beliefs. There are several cultural factors that influenced both Africa and the Americas such as weaponry, technological advancements, medical and religious. China and India’s values were quite different when it came to cultural beliefs. They would isolate themselves from outside traditions, which made them more resistant to syncretism.
Cultural Syncretism
Syncretism is the process by which cultures are merged, generally between traditional culture and traits of an introduced culture. This process was especially pronounced in the Americas with the introduction of colonial culture with the colonization of both North and South America. Although the African and Latin America cultures blended, both India and China resisted the Western culture.
Africa and Cultural Syncretism
As the Europeans expanded to and explored new regions, they introduced religion, technology, customs, weapons and medicine. These alone could have a great impact on existing cultures, although after military force was added to the syncretism, it became largely one sided. Although a large part of African culture derived from the European’s language, religion, and customs, only some of the African cultures and rituals were adapted by the Europeans. The Africans were able to benefit from a technological aspect from this exchange of cultures with more advanced weapons, medicine and agriculture (Sayre, 2010). In the Americas, the Europeans had much the same effect on the culture. The methodology and technology made it easier for the Europeans to adapt their culture to the natives of the Americas as they were more accepting of the change (Sayre, 2010).
The Chinese were less influenced and resisted the cultural changes of outsiders, mainly because their culture was older and more advanced technologically then the west. The Chinese
References: Africa in America: An introduction. (2011). National Park Service. perspective. NASP Communiqué, 32(8). Retrieved from: http://www.nasponline.org/publications/cq/cq328native.aspx Wilson, A., (2011)