Changes in Traditions and Material Exchanges

Abstract

Traditions have remained a significant aspect of social and cultural structure of societies. In this article, changes in traditions associated with vital events in Mohla, a rural community of Punjab, Pakistan, are analysed. Birth, death and marriage are considered vital events and have been analysed over a period of 50 years. Data is drawn from a sample survey conducted in the village. Systematic sampling technique was used for the selection of the respondents. The results show that material exchanges on vital events have declined, with the exception of marriage. Traditions associated with the birth of a son have remained consistent throughout the decades whereas an upward trend was observed in traditions associated with the birth of a daughter. Awareness through education was a significant reason for this change. Some traditions associated with marriages have declined, with the exception of mehndi, which has substantially increased in the recent past. Most traditions associated with death, particularly daswan and chaliswan, have declined over the decades. Changes in traditions around most of the vital events have occurred due to economic factors.