Courtney OConnor

Professor David Manson

MUH1110
30 May 2014
Report on Syncretism in Music
Syncretism, in terms of culture, refers to the amalgamation of two incredibly different schools of
thought or traditions between two separate cultures to create a new, unique school of thought or
tradition instead. This concept can be further applied to cultural categories, and in this case, music.
Syncretism in music occurs when two distinct genres from different parts of the world are melded into
one, and its becoming a more and more prevalent genre music continues to evolve
(Overgrownpath.com).
All it takes for a particular style of music to be considered syncretic is for there to be some sort
mash-up between traditional instrumentation from different cultures. This being the case, theres a
wide variety of genres and sub genres when it comes to this type of music. These mash-ups could be in
the form of overall genres combining, like in the case of what has come to be known as World Fusion or
World Fusion Jazz, a simple combining of western jazz and other traditional world music instruments,
such as traditional western jazz being fused with various uses of instrumentation in Indian traditions
(Allmusic.com). Along with combining typical genres, artists can also create syncretic music by fusing
instrumentation alone to create a new genre within itself. One example of this can be seen in whats
known as Ethnic Electronica, or Ethnotechno, as it was referred to in the title of an album that served as
a compilation of Ethnic Electronica music (Discogs.com)
Some of the most common or well-known uses of syncretic styles in music can be seen in the
works of Afro Celt Sound System, Sinead OConnor, and Abed Azrie. Afro Celt Sound Systems work is an
example of Ethnic Electronica, as they take modern electric dance rhythms featured in electronic music,
and fuse that with traditional Irish music and African music. Although Sinead OConnor is often seen only
as an alternative rock performer, many of her songs feature a fusion of American rock with traditional
Irish sounds. Abed Azrie is known within the syncretic musician circle to use traditional Arabic texts and
sound along with synthesizers, and classical instrumentation as well, creating a syncretic style all his own.
While syncretic music has a simple enough definition, its clear that it has become a widespread
and easily accessible genre through the ages. By taking roots found in traditional folk sounds from music
all over the world and weaving them together with one another, its a genre forever creating new genres
of music, and is one that can easily penetrate cultural barriers for years and years to come.

Works Cited
"On An Overgrown Path." Is syncretic music the future?. N.p., 12 Feb. 2011. Web. 30 May 2014.
<http://www.overgrownpath.com/2011/02/is-syncretic-music-future.html>.
"Various - Ethnotechno: Sonic Anthropology Volume I." Discogs. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 May 2014.
<http://www.discogs.com/Various-Ethnotechno-Sonic-Anthropology-Volume-
I/release/140428>.
"World Fusion." N.p., n.d. Web. 30 May 2014. <http://www.allmusic.com/subgenre/world-fusion-
ma0000012260>.