African christianity: Between syncretism and inculturation

The vast majority of African Christians, through their way of thinking, acting, and believing, show signs of having fallen victim to the consequences of an encounter with Christianity that has created a culture shock. Faced with the considerations and prejudices of which the African Christian has always been the victim, and given that the Gospel is intended to be incarnated in any climate, culture, and race, is it possible for adherents to live out their Christian faith in Africa, to value their own culture (inculturation) without being syncretic? To respond to this concern, an analysis of the effects of the encounter between Western Christianity and African cultures revealed that, far from respecting the elementary laws of a dialogue between two intersecting cultures, this meeting often resulted in assimilation and total deculturation of the African. Faced with this situation, the examination of the faces of African religiosity suggests an Africa “caught between two stools,” torn between two worlds. Inculturation presents itself as an asset for Christianity in Africa. But what are the limits, and the opportunities, presented by this phenomenon?