Anthropology of Time is a domain being studied usually under cultural anthropology and this has progressively gained some attention in the past two decades. Perception of Time, sometimes termed as temporality, refers to what people think about the nature and reality of Time whether it is contextual or non-contextual, linear or cyclical, reversible or irreversible, absolute or relative, a resource or invisible phenomena, and what other obvious attributes Time possesses. In each culture there is a specific social organization of Time that speaks about the particular socio-economic scenario of that culture. Therefore, studying the methods used to measure Time, allocation of Time for different activities, and beliefs and attitudes towards time in a culture provides a full picture of the system in terms of its behavioral traits, sustainability and development.

Whenever some Social Change is about to take place in a society, it changes the people’s perception of Time along with other behavioral reforms. As perception of Time is directly linked with the roots of the system, thus, society may resist any change in its Time concepts. This attitude represents the strength of the old order of the society and people’s fear against the new organization of Time that will lead to new dimensions of social, cultural and economic life. Studying this changing attitude towards Time not only gives a better understanding of strength and direction of change but also involves other interesting and related issues on the timing of change.

This issue aims to analyze and document the indigenous Time concepts and the undergoing alteration in these concepts as a result of social change, and to discuss the theories of time and social change leading to the normative aspects of the phenomena.  The issue includes studies based on the fieldwork in the communities under transition with indigenous terms and folklore used for the time along with their cultural interpretation discussing the relationship between time and change.


Muhammad Aurang Zeb Mughal did his masters in anthropology from Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad and joined The World Bank to evaluate some rural support programs in Pakistan. Currently working with Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund he is serving as member of the editorial board of three social sciences journals and is also affiliated with some national and international research organizations. His research interests include Time, Change, Development, Globalization, and Indus Valley Civilization.