Syncretism << SIHN kruh tihz uhm or SIHNG kruh tihz uhm >> is the bringing together or merger of two or more distinct beliefs or customs. The word syncretism originated in the writings of the ancient Greek historian Plutarch. He described how the people of Crete (Kretoi in ancient Greek) would set aside their differences and unite to defend themselves against invasion. The Dutch scholar Desiderius Erasmus first used the term with regard to religion in 1519, in a discussion of differences between factions of the Christian Church in Europe.
Scholars who study interaction among cultures are interested in syncretism. The American anthropologist Melville Herskovits and the French anthropologist Roger Bastide wrote extensively of religious mixing as syncretism. These two studied how African religious traditions survived among slaves in the Americas, despite the oppression of the Atlantic slave trade. They found that African religious traditions were often preserved through blending with Christianity or by incorporating Christian symbols and rituals. European scholars of the history of religion also studied syncretisms. They include the Dutch historians Gerardus van der Leeuw and Hendrik Kraemer.
Several new African American religions developed in this way, including Vodou (sometimes called Voodoo) in Haiti and the United States, Santería in Cuba, and Candomblé in Brazil. They emerged when missionaries introduced African slaves to Christian saints and rituals. The Africans often interpreted and adapted these figures to fit their own religious symbols and ideas. For example, Legba (also called Eshu) is a popular traditional god in many parts of West Africa, where many of the slaves were captured. Legba is known as the Lord of Crossroads, the Opener of Gates, and other titles. In the Americas, Roman Catholic missionaries taught the African slaves about Saint Peter, describing him as the one who holds the keys to the gates of heaven. The Africans readily associated Legba with Saint Peter. Other African deities were likewise associated with Christian saints. Christian feast days often became occasions to honor both the traditional deity and the saint.
Many other examples of syncretism appear in religious traditions throughout the world. Traditional celebrations of many holidays, for example, including Christmas, Halloween, and Easter, incorporate symbols and rituals from different religious customs. For example, the celebration of Christmas on December 25 was probably influenced by pagan (unchristian) festivals held at that time. The ancient Romans held year-end celebrations to honor Saturn, their harvest god; and Mithra, the god of light. Various peoples in northern Europe held festivals in mid-December to celebrate the end of the harvest season. As part of all these celebrations, the people prepared special foods, decorated their homes with greenery, and joined in singing and gift giving. These customs gradually became part of the Christmas celebration. Syncretism is a fundamental part of the human religious experience. Most scholars think that all religions have at least some syncretism.
