Final answer:
The Zulu's understanding of God and religious belief as witnessed by missionaries was an amalgamation of their traditional beliefs and Christianity, which did not radically break with their religious past. Christianity as adopted in African contexts often incorporated enduring native elements, reflecting a syncretistic religious practice.
Step-by-step explanation:
The understanding of God by the Zulu, as interpreted by many missionaries, reflects a Intersection of Christian beliefs with traditional African spirituality. As historian John Thornton illustrates, in regions like the Kongo, the introduction of Christianity did not result in a complete disavowal of indigenous beliefs. Instead, the region's adoption of Christianity largely emphasized and integrated aspects of their existing worldview and religious practices.
Even though for many Africans and African Americans the dominant religion became Christianity over time, these new religious practices often included elements of the native rituals and beliefs. This phenomenon suggests that old religious practices persisted and were woven into the fabric of the new Christian practices, rather than being entirely replaced. This form of acculturation indicates a blend or syncretism of religious traditions rather than a straightforward substitution.