Perception of Time

The article that was given to us to read is published by the author Rafeala von Bredow in 2006 given the title: "Brazil's Pirahã Tribe: Living without numbers or time. This article summarises the way that a tribe in Brazil live with no history, descriptive words and no subordinate clauses. This means that there definition and perception of time would vary to ours causing it to be one of the strangest languages in the world. With that being said, when interviewing this tribe- it is obvious by the way spoke they only value the present time and do not think of future. This is evident when a tribal member describes how when  he'll "finish eating, I speak with you." Obviously this shows that they do not prioritise things based on its importance but rather their logical and way of thinking is based on what is infront of them at that time. To justify, the Pirahã tribe is focuses mainly with matter that relates to there personal experience of which suggests they have no undefined past or future but rather, they are experiencing living memory and only the present. This concept of life is expression using amongst the trible that is known as "Xibipíío" meaning "experiential  liminality". Such expression helps support the fact that they only focus on the current rather than what has gone and what will/might happen. By believing this concept, it allows them to not believe in relgions or myths because they believe that if close people did not experience it then it would not be true. In addition to so, the Piraha people believe that everyone is equal and no body deserves to have a leader above them but themselves. This causes them to let things be and  not question things nor try to see “deeper” aspects of feelings or situations so they do not attempt on perceiving the “deeper” aspects of feelings or situations. 

My perception of time allows myself to think about the past, present and future. I've lived in the UAE for all my life and from my personal experience with past events and situations- I believe that people are able to plan situations with precision yet still remembering there past. For example, I use my daily planner everyday and tick off things I have done and then plan things I need to do. Although I am still planning things I need to do like complete my essay, I still record my previous actions as Service and Action on Manage bac because it will be beneficial for me for my future. As for the present time, I value the present time because it will soon be my past that would build upon my future. With such strong believes in the coloration between the past, present and future- I think this is the case because I believe in the day of judgement and how this is just a temporary period of time. This allows me to value time even more because I know that there is a second life therefore I must not tae time for granted and fulfil my needs to the maximum. As a famous quote once says: "If you don't have a past, one has no future".

Comparing both perspectives of time, I believe that my perception of time is different to the Piraha people because they only value the present whereas I value past, present and future. I think this is the case because they are not deep thinkers and believe that one should not over think situations causing them to not believe in aspects like religion or myths. But myself for example, I believe that the perspective of time must be valued and taken full advantage of because time goes by fast yet there is so much situations that must be accomplished.