Syncretism
Define “syncretism” and explain why syncretism is an important phenomena in the Caribbean. Read
Miguel Barnet, “Biography of a Runaway Slave,” Alejo Carpentier, “Journey Back to the Source,” and
Nicolás Guillen “Bongo Song” through the lens of the “repeating island” and look for syncretism. Identify
the examples of African culture and what examples of European culture appear in each piece. What
evidence do you see of
“syncretism” — or the fusing of African and European cultures in each story? (300 words)
Sample Solution
This paper reviews Nicolás Guillen’s “Bongo Song” through the lens of the “repeating island” to study syncretism. It identifies instances of African culture and elements of European culture appear in each piece. Particular attention is paid to evidences of “syncretism” hereafter defined as the fusing of African and European cultures in each story. Leopold and Jensen (2016) delineates religious syncretism as a characteristically Caribbean phenomenon, amalgamating religious beliefs to produce a new religious tradition. Some scholars contrast the aforestated idea with “multiple religious belonging” and polytheism. This experience has many attributions, and the latter consequence is observed in settings where multiple religious persuasions exist in close proximity and are active in the culture.
