Acculturation the Chams - Islam in Vietnam through the Kareh Ritual of the Chams Awal - A View of the Structuralism

Abstract

In the historical process, Cham people absorbed major religions such as Brahma, Buddhism, Islam along with the culture where these religions originated. However, Cham people only selected the elements which were appropriate for their traditional religion. Consequently, Cham people currently have a diversity of religion and culture with the endogenous and foreign elements. Chams’ religions (including Brahma, which was localized) combined with Islam to become the unique religion that was Bàni religion or the Chams Awal. From the perspective of the structuralism, this article shows the differences and similarities of acculturation between the Champa and Islam cultures through the Kareh ritual of the Chams Awal.