摘要：Background: In censuses and demographic surveys, religion is recorded as a variable of state, assuming that individuals' religious afiliation is unique and definitive. However, in sub Saharan Africa, pluralism are commonplace. In this paper, we discussed the relevance and feasibility of a statistical approach to religious practices, taking into consideration their complexity and variability over an individual's lifetime. Data Source and methodes: We used longitudinal data collected since 25 years in the south- east of Mali, among a population where traditional and Christian religions coexist. We compared the results of a classic cross-sectional approach with those obtained via a longitudinal approach that takes into consideration individuals' religious trajectories. Resultats: Plurality and variability in religious practices are confirmed. Most individuals, at some point in their lives, become afliated with different religions. Mobility and reversbility in religious afiliation are common. Conclusion: The relevance of cross-sectional data on religious afliation for demographic analysis is therefore questionable.
关键词：religion; religi ious pluralism; religious afiliation; Africa; Mali
