ABSTRACT
Although I understood what that metaphorical word [nepantla] means, that is to say, ‘in the middle’, I insisted he tell me which ‘in the middle’ he referred to. The native told me that, since the people were not yet well rooted in the Faith, I should not marvel at the fact that they were neither fish nor fowl: they were governed by neither one religion nor the other. Or, better said, they believed in God and also followed their ancient heathen rites and customs.1
