In this reading, Merriam distinguishes the concepts of time-reckoning from a Western point of view, a Western point of view in regards to African musical rhythm, and the African concept of time-reckoning (both in specific cases and as a generalization). He recognizes key assumptions that are commonly attributed to the African musical rhythm from an "outsider looking in" perspective. Merriam then is able to provide details about differing concepts of time-reckoning and how this can affect concepts of rhythm, culture, or music.
The Western view tends to be characterized by separating time into a distance that moves further and further away from the starting point. In the Western view, time is viewed as a constant source divides up our moments, experiences, outlook on life and our daily functions. In applying the Western viewpoint on African musical rhythm, many scholars are able to distinguish Western terms that are associated with a rhythm or beat that is able to keep the performance in time, and serves a repetitive function. This Western viewpoint imposed on African musical rhythm does not compare the varying African concepts of time and how it applies to culture and music. In his final section, Merriam does observe Time from the African point of view, in which he distinguishes varying outlooks of time as: "non-repetitive" (454), "non linear" and "not reckoned as a distance", or "measured as an apparatus" (456). Merriam even mentions a scholar's general observation that time within Africa is organized primarily in terms of the past and present but never the future, and the concept of a numerical calendar is non existent. Considering the observations brought forward in this reading, I am curious to ask: Can we distinguish something unique about different cultures and musical styles within Africa by looking at the ways time is perceived, and compare it to the way the Western-world observes time and its impact on Western culture & music?
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