ABSTRACT
Rodrigues quite rightly sensed that syncretism was an ongoing process and that its degrees should be distinguished, but he failed to recognize a phenomenon that was to counteract it. In fact two phenomena that ought to be clearly distinguished are often confused by the Africanists: regional syncretism and ethnic syncretism. The chapter believes that a study of this sort would simplify the problem of syncretism, especially in the case of Ex, Shang, and Ogun, although it would not completely eliminate the contradictions in table of correspondences. Moving along to the next level, that of rites and organized ceremonial structures, we distinguish two elements: the temporal framework within which the actions are performed, and their organization. The temporal framework presents the same problems and solutions as the spatial one. For members of traditional candombls there are two religious time frames that do not intersect.
