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WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
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Ivory Coast
Index
Both Islam and Christianity have been adapted to
indigenous
religions in a variety of ways. Beyond these localized
versions of
world religions, however, are complex systems of belief
and
practice that incorporate many elements of more than one
religion.
Most widely recognized among these syncretic religions are
numerous
offshoots of Harrism along the coast, where new prophets,
preachers, and disciples blend traditional beliefs,
Harrism, and
modern-day political advice to help deal with the problems
of
everyday life.
Syncretic religions are generally more common among
minorities
in a particular area or among groups that perceive
themselves to be
resisting political domination by their neighbors. The
Agni have
remained heavily Catholic, for example, whereas the
neighboring
Baoulé have evolved a variety of syncretisms, following
prophets
that promise good fortune as a reward for allegiance to
them. Small
groups in the far northeast have also evolved a variety of
belief
systems to maintain their traditions, incorporate selected
aspects
of Islam, and resist domination by outsiders.
Data as of November 1988
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