Syncretism . The ways indigenous traditions shape and inform Latina/o expressions of Christianity - Essay Example

Short answer questions on Latina/o religion What is ‘syncretism?’ Discuss the ways indigenous traditions shape and inform Latina/o expressions of Christianity. How is syncretism expressed in borderlands and nepantla theory? What other terms might you use to describe the mixing of religious traditions? Syncretism refers to the fusion or reconciliation of divergent and differing belief systems. In relation to religious syncretism, it refers to the introduction of foreign belief systems within an indigenous belief pattern and the blending of the different teaching patterns. The historical matriarchal core forms a pertinent aspect of Latina indigenous traditions and the contemporary expression of Latinos in Christianity. Evidently, the primary basis for indigenous religious practices has been the female space. In this regard, women in Latina indigenous society have been the gatekeepers of ancient spiritualities. To this end, the contemporary religious world of Latina Christianity place women in high status such as official church hierarchical structures and domestic paradigms whereby narrations illustrating sacred proverbial truths; such as saints, ancestors, living and living dead, friends, family and God; are evident. In addition, the indigenous roles bestowed upon women such as leadership and curative functions in relation to religious and spiritual roles have spilled over to contemporary Christianity practices. This is evident in evangelico and Pentecostal churches in which women have exercised pastoral and ministerial functions. The term ‘Nepantla’ is an Aztec language known Nahuatl which connotes the meaning of, ‘the space of the middle’ or ‘in between.’ It is a postmodern conjunctive in reference to the existence of a New Middle, the renaissance from the colonial domination as means of psychological survival. In other literary mandarins it is reffered to as dwelling in ‘Borderlands’ and a process constructing alternative space for living and working. To this end, Nepantla represents a transculturation process of divergent worldviews. To this end, an example of expression of syncretism in borderland and Nepantla theory is the transposing of The Virgin of Guadalupe on an Aztec god image. In the domestic households, there were visual representations depicting the coexistence of Aztec images such as crosses,prints in tandem with the Virgin of Guadalupe. This manifest represented a form of Nepantla. Other terms that might be used to describe the mixing of traditional religions include Santeria; which is the mixing of Carribean and West African religion with Christianity from the Roman Catholic church; Orisha religion which the mixture of Nigerian religion with the traditions originating from the Americas such as Shango Trinidad, Vodou in Haiti and Candomble in Haiti. 2) Who are Our Lady of Guadalupe, La Malinche and La Llorona Our Lady of Guadalupe connotes the five apparitions of the Virgin Mary to a Native Indian American in Mexico city. His baptismal name was Juan Diego and the apparitions came at a time when the American continent was lost from Christianity. Evidently, the Virgin Mary left an imprint on the man’s cloak left an indelible change in Christianity. To this end, millions of people embraced Christianity and the message of love brought by Our Lady of Guadalupe, substituted the pervasive institutional violence synonymous with Aztec culture. Moreover, Our Lady of Guadalupe reconnected the old and new world that had previously been engaged in brutal conflict. Presently, Our Lady of Guadalupe offers devotional inspiration to the millions of people across the Americas Continent and beyond. La Malinche is regarded as one of the most controversial female personalities during the Spanish conquest. She symbolized the importance of interpreter during the Spanish conquest. Evidently, she was daughter from a noble family before she was enslaved and eventually a confidante, interpreter and mother the son of Hernan Cortes, a Spanish explorer. La Malinche has been remembered with feeling of scorn and hatred since she has been viewed as betrayer of the Aztecs and others view her as a scapegoat in justifying the failure by Moctezuma in defending his kingdom. However, her critics seem to ignore her role in saving innocent Indian lives from slaughter by Cortes through negotiations. She equally contributed to the spread of Christianity by the Spaniards through her interpretive skills. Furthermore, she also made efforts towards trying to end human sacrifice and cannibalism. La Llorona is a Spanish term connoting ‘the weeping woman’ in reference to the tale of ghostly mother who wanders along rivers and canal weeping for her missing children. Evidently, the story narrates of a beautiful woman who was married to a promiscuous and uncaring husband. In this regard, due to the husband lack of affection, and her consequent Aztec jealousy and pride, she drowned all her children before later realising the gravity of her mistake and attempted to save her children from the river.She drowned herself into the river and was denied admission into heaven by el Senor until she found her children. To this date, she wanders along the river,streams and canals weeping in search of her drowned children. 3) What are religious poetics? Discuss this concept and give an example Religious poetics refers to the appilication of the literary language of poems within religious texts. This is evident in religious faiths such as Christianity whereby the use of poetry and its literary styles such as symbolism and metaphors is evident. They are designed to give comfort, inspiration and motivation to the devotees. To this end, an example is, “You are always there for me” which is a Christian poem that narrates on the unfailing love of Jesus in supporting individuals in their time of need. Evidently, it employs the use of Christian rhyme in its style. 4) Discuss the religious theory of “the gift.” How has gifting shaped spiritual healing movements and formed religious groups? The religious theory of the gift can be comprehended as the elementary paradigms of religious life. To this end, the theory of the gift espouses that once it is given, it translates to faithful commitment by the recipient to reciprocate in either deeds or devotion. In this regard, it creates a bonding that ensures functioning of the society through creation of spiritual bonds. In Hindu religion, gifting has shaped spiritual healing through the belief in gifts reffered to as dan. The dan gift is evidently given by Brahmin priests and it entails the provision of vital life to the village since the donor eliminates danger and various types of affliction, sin or evil. This essentially results into physical and spiritual cleansing of the recipient. 5) Discuss rites of passage and mimesis. How do these theories shape Latina/o religions? Rites of passage entail virtual sacrifices which involve an ordeal reproduces a crisis. On the other hand, mimesis refer to the representation or imitation of phases of realistic world such as human actions in art and literature. Evidently, rites of passage and mimetism have influenced the the religious beliefs of the Latinos in practices such as Shamanism. To this end, it entails a rite of the passage whereby the Shaman is able to connect an converse with the spiritual world following rituals of rites of passage such as healing and divinations. To this end, once the Shaman establishes contact with the spiritual world, they are able to interprete and mimic the messages conveyed by the spirit to the real world. 6) What are the days of the dead? How is it celebrated differently in Mexico and in California? It is a celebration day synonymous with the Mexicans in which participants honor the souls of the dead through specially prepared food and funfare. Evidently, people conduct parades along the streets next to cemeteries complete with decorations of candy skulls and skeletons, flowers and papel picado. The participants believe that between October 31st and November 2nd, spirits families are visited by the spirits of their departed relatives. In California, celebration of the day of the dead incorporates even political statements since it is a mixture of American and Mexican traditions. To this end, the political statements include indeginous and political paraphernalia such as special altars in honor of war victims in Afghanistan. On the other hand, Mexico’s day of the dead is purely a traditional, religious affair in honour of close departed souls. 7) Why are some Latina/os converting to Protestantism, Pentecostalism in particular? Some Latina/os are converting to Pentecostalism owing the aspect of migration into the United States of America whereby they adopt the new religious lifestyles in the area and discard their traditional Catholicism. Evidently, a huge number of the converts are in U.S.A than their countries of origin. 8) Compare curanderismo,espritualismo with Afro-Caribbean santeria. Are these Catholic practices? Curanderismo denotes a type of folk or traditional healing in Mexican culture through various methods such as spiritualism, herbal medicine, psychic, massage and healing rituals. The spiritual healer is regarded as a curandero. Espritualismo or spiritualism connotes the metaphysical belief in which spirit and matter, psychological and physical, combine into the essence of the spirit as the true reality and the representation of the soul’s eternity. Furthermore, spiritualism is believed to encompass the oils, flowers, trees, music, stones, candles, plants, prayers and minerals as essential elements. To this end, it embodies all the paradigms of science and health, philosophy, life, emotional, spiritual and physical. Consequently, both curanderismo and espritualismo purely indigenous and traditional belief patterns. They are not Catholic practices. On the other hand, Afro-Caribbean santeria represents a syncretic religion composed of indeginous Yoruba belief system and practices with some addition of Roman Catholic ideals. 9) Discuss liberation theology. Is this an effective way to liberate Latina/os? It is human centered doctrine that offers an interpretation of the Scriptures through addressing the plight of the poor in society.Evidently, it can be used to liberate the Latina/os because it hold very firm Roman Catholic roots in which many Latina/os are members. Furthermore, the liberation theory places an emphasis on wealth redistribution which allows the poor people to share and participate in wealth creation. 10) What is Latina/o religion? How does a scholar study it? Does such a thing exist? Why or why not? Is Latina religion empowering or disempowering overall? In what ways does it empower and in what ways does it oppress? Latina/o religion denotes the indigenous and traditional belief patterns that were practiced by the native society of the Latina/os. It does exist based on the evidence of spiritual leaders and the aspect of syncretism in the traditional Latina/o society. A scholar studies it from an anthropological point of view by examining the indigenous belief patterns, traditions and rituals and spiritual leaders such as Shamans. In general it is disempowering since it is based on beliefs in archaic and non-existence gods as well as barbaric rituals such as human sacrifices and barbarism. The only ways it empowers is through creating an understanding on the cultural values and practices of the Latina/os indigenous society. References Ferna?ndez, Eduardo C.. Mexican-American Catholics. New York: Paulist Press, 2007. Print. Laderman, Gary, and Luis D. Leo?n.Religion and American cultures: an encyclopedia of traditions, diversity, and popular expressions. Santa Barbara, Calif.: ABC-CLIO, 2003. Print. Read More