Religious Syncretism and Cultural Adaptation in African Diasporas of Seychelles: A Mixed Methods Inquiry

Religious syncretism in African diasporas of Seychelles exemplifies a unique cultural adaptation process where traditional African faiths merge with Christian and Islamic beliefs. The research employs a combination of ethnographic fieldwork, participant observation, semi-structured interviews, and thematic content analysis to gather data from multiple sources. A notable finding is the prevalence of a syncretic religious practice that integrates traditional African deities with Christian saints' days, indicating a dynamic cultural adaptation process among diaspora communities. The study reveals how these syncretic practices serve as both communal identifiers and mechanisms for intergenerational cultural transmission in Seychelles' African diasporas. Future research should focus on the socio-political implications of religious syncretism within African diaspora communities, particularly its impact on community cohesion and identity formation. Religious Syncretism, Cultural Adaptation, African Diaspora, Seychelles