Sunday 22 May 2011

Amazonian Tribe Lacks Abstract Idea Of Time


An Amazonian tribe has no abstract concept of time. The Amondawa lacks the linguistic structures that relate time and space - as in for example, 'working through the night.' A study shows that while the Amondawa recognise events occuring in time, it does not exist as a separate concept.

The Amondawa language has no word for 'time,' or indeed of time periods such as 'month' or 'year.' The people do not refer to their ages, but rather assume different names in different stages of their lives or as they achieve different status within the community.

1 comment(s):

NotMarian said...

It would seem that they DO have an abstract concept of time. They don't have a concrete concept of time.
They don't live by a clock, but they live in time. I think they're better off than the rest of us.