Religious Syncretism in Singapore: Phra Phrom Worship Among Chinese Singaporeans.
SE4660
INDEPENDENT STUDY
Religious Syncretism in Singapore:
Phra Phrom worship among Chinese Singaporeans.
Abstract:
Since the 1980s, there has been a growing popularity amongst Chinese Singaporeans who worship the Thai deity Phra Phrom (commonly known to them as the “Four Faced Buddha”) and making regular pilgrimages to temples in Thailand. (Hoon 2001) My research will seek to understand the historical, cultural and economic dynamics behind these practices. Such an exploration would enable a further understanding of Religious Syncretism as defined by Shaw and Stewart (1994).
By Foo Chek Wee
Matric number: U010010U
Introduction
The Encyclopedia of Social and Cultural Anthropology defines syncretism as the hybridization or amalgamation of two or more cultural traditions. According to Shaw and Stewart (1994), such a definition implies the “infiltration of a supposedly ‘pure’ tradition by symbols and meanings seen as belonging to other, incompatible traditions”. Shaw and Stewart (1994) exemplify this negative implication with the historical application of the word ‘syncretism’. They mentioned that the word ‘syncretism’ was used as an imperialist strategy in which “the Roman emperors, by appropriating the foreign cults of those they conquered, ‘would have all the varieties of mankind called in and restamped at the Caesarian mint’…Syncretism now becomes an assimilative weapon of that enemy.” Similarly, this pejorative understanding of the word ‘syncretism’ is used by scholars of comparative religion to condemn the adulteration of ‘pure’ religious traditions (e.g. Christianity). (Barnard & Spencer 1996:540)
Shaw and Stewart (1994) argued that despite the negative application of the word ‘syncretism’, ‘syncretism’ has been ascribed a neutral, and often positive, significance within anthropology. They asserted Herskovits’ (1941) earlier argument that the ‘culture-contact’ between two or more culturally
INDEPENDENT STUDY
Religious Syncretism in Singapore:
Phra Phrom worship among Chinese Singaporeans.
Abstract:
Since the 1980s, there has been a growing popularity amongst Chinese Singaporeans who worship the Thai deity Phra Phrom (commonly known to them as the “Four Faced Buddha”) and making regular pilgrimages to temples in Thailand. (Hoon 2001) My research will seek to understand the historical, cultural and economic dynamics behind these practices. Such an exploration would enable a further understanding of Religious Syncretism as defined by Shaw and Stewart (1994).
By Foo Chek Wee
Matric number: U010010U
Introduction
The Encyclopedia of Social and Cultural Anthropology defines syncretism as the hybridization or amalgamation of two or more cultural traditions. According to Shaw and Stewart (1994), such a definition implies the “infiltration of a supposedly ‘pure’ tradition by symbols and meanings seen as belonging to other, incompatible traditions”. Shaw and Stewart (1994) exemplify this negative implication with the historical application of the word ‘syncretism’. They mentioned that the word ‘syncretism’ was used as an imperialist strategy in which “the Roman emperors, by appropriating the foreign cults of those they conquered, ‘would have all the varieties of mankind called in and restamped at the Caesarian mint’…Syncretism now becomes an assimilative weapon of that enemy.” Similarly, this pejorative understanding of the word ‘syncretism’ is used by scholars of comparative religion to condemn the adulteration of ‘pure’ religious traditions (e.g. Christianity). (Barnard & Spencer 1996:540)
Shaw and Stewart (1994) argued that despite the negative application of the word ‘syncretism’, ‘syncretism’ has been ascribed a neutral, and often positive, significance within anthropology. They asserted Herskovits’ (1941) earlier argument that the ‘culture-contact’ between two or more culturally
References: ‘Ah Lin’. (18th February, 2005). Personal communication. Appadurai, A. (1991) ‘Global Ethnoscapes: Notes and Queries for a Transnational Anthropology’ in R. Fox (ed.) Recapturing Anthropology: Working in the Present. Santa Fe: School of American Research Press. London: New York : Routledge. Barnard, A. and Spencer, J. (eds) (1996) Encyclopedia of social and cultural anthropology. Boddy, J Fo Guang Geomancy Centre. (2005) 2005 Fo Guang – Enlightened Year of Roaster. Malaysia: South Asia Publication Sdn. Bhd. Herskovits, M.J. (1941) The Myth of the Negro Past. Boston, MA: Beacon Press. Hoon, Yi Chiun Madam Hong. (11th February, 2005). Personal communication. Madam Tan Siew Yah. (2nd February, 2005). Personal communication. Majupuria, Trilok Chandra. (1993) Erawan Shrine and Brahma Worship in Thailand. Bangkok: Craftsman Press. Marlane Guelden. (1995) Thailand: Into the Spirit World. Thailand: Asia Books Co. Ltd. Mr. Jacky Ho. (15th February, 2005). Personal communication. Mr. Lee Kai Fat. (26th February, 2005). Personal communication. Mr. Lim. (15th February, 2005). Personal communication. Mr. Ramus Lee. (12th February, 2005). Personal communication. Mr. Tan Shao Han. (23rd February, 2005). Personal communication. Mulder, Niels. (1996) Inside Southeast Asia: religion, everyday life, cultural change. Singapore: The Pepin Press. Rosaldo, R. (1989) Culture and Truth: The Remaking of Social Analysis. Boston: Beacon Press. Stewart, Charles ‘Uncle’ William. (16th February, 2005). Personal communication.