Syncretic Identities: A Theoretical Framework on Religious Adaptation in African Diasporas of Kenya

Syncretic identities refer to the blending of distinct religious beliefs or cultural practices into a new form that may retain elements from each tradition while adapting them to fit contemporary contexts. This theoretical framework aims to explore how African diasporas in Kenya have adapted their religious practices, focusing on syncretic identity formation through interfaith dialogue and community integration. Theoretical synthesis will be employed to analyse existing literature on syncretism in African diaspora contexts, emphasising qualitative data from ethnographic studies. Syncretic identities within Kenyan African diasporas exhibit a blending of Christianity, Islam, indigenous beliefs, and secular influences. This synthesis often occurs through interfaith dialogue and community events that celebrate diversity. This theoretical framework underscores the dynamic nature of religious adaptation in African diaspora communities, highlighting the role of cultural exchange and communal engagement in shaping syncretic identities. Further research should focus on documenting specific syncretic practices within Kenyan diasporas to enrich our understanding of their unique contributions to religious pluralism. syncretism, African diaspora, religious adaptation, interfaith dialogue, communal engagement This theoretical framework offers a novel lens through which to examine syncretic identities in Kenyan African diasporas by integrating insights from both literature review and ethnographic data.