An Anthropological Perspective on the Mosque in Pakistan

The mosque occupies a central position in the social as well as religious life of Muslims. It is not only a place of worship where rituals are performed, but also serves as a social space where Muslims take part in welfare activities. The design and architecture of the mosque have local as well as global influences, representing religious, economic, and esthetic dimensions of Muslim social organization. Therefore, Muslims' association with the mosque has much significance from social, political, and economic perspectives. Based on an ethnographic example, this report aims to highlight the use of mosque space in the cultural context of rural Pakistan. In addition to discussing the sociospatial relationships around the mosque, I discuss how Muslims' beliefs about the world and the afterlife shape these relationships

Margins and Marginality: Pakistani State and Societies

This year’s Pakistan Workshop provided an intellectually vibrant space in which to reflect on margins and marginalities in Pakistan and Pakistani communities. Scholars presented papers on a variety of topics, ranging from whether Pakistan is or might become a ‘failed state’ as a result of the legal crisis of 2007, to Musharraf’s controversial National Reconciliation Ordinance, to the US drone attacks

Temporal rhythm of change in Village Jhokwala, Pakistan: Ethnographic insights from calendars

Time is perceived through movements of objects in sky, seasonal cycles, and biological changes, which appear to be universal and every society makes their sense. Studying change in the temporal models therefore provides understanding about cultural change in a broader context (Geertz, 1966: 389-409). Temporal organization represents the relationship between culture and ecology through different informal and formal markers in the same way as space is linked with the environment (Engel-Frisch, 1943). Calendars are one of the temporal markers, which represent the people’s association with and understanding of their environment both in ecological and astronomical sense

Ties That Bind: Marital Networks and Politics in Punjab, Pakistan

Pakistani politics are characterised by strong corporate social links through kinship and caste that impose reciprocal obligations and rights. Marital maps allow for accurate prediction of allegiances and decision making and contribute to a transparent assessment of political processes in the country. While much of the focus on reciprocal relations has understandably been on descent relations (dynasties), the complex network of marital alliances that cut across lineage and sectarian divides helps explain notable levels of stability despite the fragility of the state and other public institutions. Using the example of one of the most successful political dynasties in post independence Pakistan, we show the extent of cross lineage, region and even party alliances that shape this political kinship network

RAI’s First Annual Postgraduate Conference

The Royal Anthropological Institute’s first annual one-day postgraduate conference was hosted by the Department of Anthropology at Durham University on 20 September 2011. In their opening remarks, Bob Simpson, and Stephen M Lyon referred to the RAI’s vision for this annual conference, where 30 postgraduate students from more than 17 universities and institutes presented their research. Stephen Lyon then introduced the use of the Anthropological Index Online in anthropological research. RAI’s Film Officer, Susanne Hammacher and Education and Communication Officer, Nafisa Fera introduced the range of RAI’s activities, inviting participants to take an active role. Both sessions showed how the RAI can help to increase the visibility of students’ research in the discipline. In an interactive session with journal editors (Stephen M. Lyon of History and Anthropology, Claudia Merli of Durham Anthropology Journal, and Simone Gritter and Ely Rosenblum of the online multimedia journal ART/E/FACT), students gained information about getting published in anthropological journals

Review of The World of the Gift

Godbout and Caillé show the significance of gift exchange in human life in strengthening social relations beyond market economy. The book was written in French then translated into English

Mohenjo-daro’s sewers

Almost all historians today regard the sewage system of Mohenjo-daro as the largest and best-built sanitation system among contemporary urban centers. It is easily comparable with present-day drainage systems of South Asian countries such as Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh. Even today in most of Pakistan and India the same model of drainage is followed what was used in Mohenjo-daro. This indicates the advanced engineering and urban planning of the Indus Valley civilization

Nation, Province and Region

This year’s Pakistan Workshop, organized by Stephen M. Lyon and assisted by Fiaz Ahmed and Muhammad Aurang Zeb Mughal, focused on the theme of ‘nation, province and region’. Scholars and postgraduate students at the workshop discussed the current political situation, contested ethnic and religious identities, and Pakistani diaspora

Spain

Spain is located in southwestern Europe, occupying most of the Iberian Peninsula, which it shares with its smaller neighbor Portugal. With a population of more than 47 million people, the country is geographically and culturally diverse. Castilians are the dominant ethnic group in Spain, and their language is the basis for modern Spanish. Today, the term Castilian often is used interchangeably with Spaniard. However, modern Spain is also home to many distinct regional cultures, including Basques, Catalans, Galicians, and others, that retain their unique traditions and languages. These people often prefer to identify themselves by their regional identities rather than adopt a common Spanish identity, and some groups have lobbied aggressively for independence from Spain