Syncretism is the combining, or attempted combining of two different cultures, religions, or ways of thinking. In general, I don’t really think of this as a bad thing, so long as both cultures are respected in the process and the intent is not malicious. Honestly, this is not really something that I ever think about and it is especially hard to notice here in Ecuador.
I think that having a solid grasp of syncretism requires a very strong understanding of at least one of the cultures, and I don’t think that I yet fall into that category in Cuenca. However, there are some more obvious examples like the indigenous features mixed with Catholicism in the churches that we have visited that have been extremely interesting to see. Coming from a family that is fairly religious, I grew up with a lot of religious symbolism around the house and just generally in life. While I made the realization before, it took coming here and seeing these new religious figures to realize just how deeply ingrained this image of a white Jesus had become in my life- even though I stopped subscribing to this religion and its imagery years ago.
While I might have some small qualms with the (mis)representation of Jesus by different ethnic groups, I do think that there is something to be said for taking in, for example, the Christian images and making them a little more relatable to the population at hand. I don’t see anything wrong with giving people a figure with which they are able to identify. If this helps them at all in everyday life or faith or what have you, it doesn’t appear to me to be hurting anyone. However, I think it’s also important to acknowledge that I am not of the ethnic group that could perhaps claim to being robbed of an important figure for their group.
I think this is where things get a little sticky. Who gets to decide if the adopting of an image is offensive? And what do they then do about it?
Additionally, what happens when the origin of an adopted tradition is forgotten? Is this just a consequence of the natural evolution of time or do people make sure (intentionally or otherwise) that the original becomes forgotten? The usage of the Christmas tree, for example, is not typically associated anymore with its Pagan origins, and this also serves as an example for questionable intentions with the Christian adoption of this tradition. Early Christians hated Pagans but at the same time were fascinated with them. This seems to me to be an interesting reason to adopt a custom and I feel like there might need to be a little bit more respect for the original culture than was initiated with this acquisition.
Syncretism, it seems for me, has led to more questions than answers.