According to the dictionary, syncretism is the amalgamation or attempted amalgamation of different religions, cultures, or schools of thought. Catholicism is heavily syncretic. Christmas, Easter, All Saints’ Day, and Corpus Cristi are all examples of major holidays that were heavily influenced by non-Catholic religions. Much of syncretism stems from attempts to ease people into Catholicism […]

I define syncretism as the combination of cultures, rituals, and/or traditions. When I think of syncretism in Ecuador, religion is usually the only thing that comes to mind. The combinations of Catholicism and indigenous tradition come together to create something unique and specific to la gente aquí. It’s interesting to think about this phenomenon, specifically […]

I personally define culture shock as the experience of a new culture different than you own, with what might be surprising customs, traditions, behaviors, etc. Culture shock can be hard for some people or exciting for others. Being in Ecuador, I haven’t actually experienced that much of culture shock. I have traveled in the past […]

Ethnocentricity is the inclination to use ones own culture as the standard against which all others are held. I grew up in the dieting culture of the United States. Every week there is a new method by which we can lose weight as effortlessly and efficiently as possible. I am a product of the modern […]

Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism I’ve always tried to stay on the side of cultural relativism, which I define as remembering the context and culture you’re in instead of immediately judging something. I view ethnocentrism as something that stems from racism or a type of nationalism, that your culture is the best and every other culture […]