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The African Cultural Astronomy Project

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2011

Johnson O. Urama  and
Jarita C. Holbrook
Johnson O. Urama
Affiliation:
Dept. of Physics & Astronomy, University of Nigeria, Nsukka Enugu State, Nigeria email: johnson@hartrao.ac.za
Jarita C. Holbrook
Affiliation:
Bureau of Applied Research in Anthropology, University of Arizona, USA email: holbrook@u.arizona.edu
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Abstract

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Indigenous, endogenous, traditional, or cultural astronomy focuses on the many ways that people and cultures interact with celestial bodies. In most parts of Africa, there is very little or no awareness about modern astronomy. However, like ancient people everywhere, Africans wondered at the sky and struggled to make sense of it. The African Cultural Astronomy Project aims to unearth the body of traditional knowledge of astronomy possessed by peoples of the different ethnic groups in Africa and to consider scientific interpretations when appropriate for cosmogonies and ancient astronomical practices. Regardless of scientific validity, every scientist can relate to the process of making observations and creating theoretical mechanisms for explaining what is observed. Through linking the traditional and the scientific, it is believed that this would be used to create awareness and interest in astronomy in most parts of Africa. This paper discusses the vision, challenges and prospects of the African Cultural Astronomy Project in her quest to popularize astronomy in Africa.

Keywords

Sociology of astronomyhistory and philosophy of astronomysolar system: generalscience and societycultural astronomyastronomy in Africa
Type
Contributed Papers
Information
Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union , Volume 5 , Symposium S260: The Role of Astronomy in Society and Culture , January 2009 , pp. 48 - 53
Copyright
Copyright © International Astronomical Union 2011

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