RT @SpaceX: Inspections found a faulty check valve on engine #5. We are replacing tonight. Next attempt Tuesday, 5/22 at 3:44 AM ET. #DragonLaunch
It is remarkable among the Hausas as the constellation which appears at the commencement of the rains.
Known as Kaza Maiyaya, the Hen with Chickens.
The morning-star in harvest time (probably α-Aquila) is known as the eagle star.
Cultural astronomy of Ghana
GYE NYAME - EXCEPT GOD
From the Akan aphorism: Abode santann yi firi tete; obi nte ase a onim ne ahyease, na obi ntena ase nkosi ne awie, GYE NYAME.
Literal translation: This great panorama of creation dates back to time immemorial; no one lives who saw its beginning and no one will live to see its end, EXCEPT GOD.
The symbol reflects the Akan belief of a SUPREME BEING, the CREATOR who they refer to by various names - e.g., OBOADEE, NYAME, ONYANKOPON TWEREAMPON.
ABODE SANTAAN - TOTALITY OF THE UNIVERSE
Symbol of the TOTALITY OF THE UNIVERSE - NATURAL AND SOCIAL CREATION
The symbol incorporates the eye, the rays of the sun, the double crescent moon, and the stool. The sun, the moon, and the eyes depict natural creation by a supreme being. While the stool depicts the socially created institutions and the creativity of human beings.
The Milky Way
It is to the Akwapim people (Twi speakers in Ghana) as Osaman-ne-quang “the road of spirits.”
Cultural astronomy of Togo and Benin
Among the Batammaliba of Togo & Benin, the Sirius star is known as Okwata – rich man or chief.
1973 stamps of Togo.
The African Cultural Astronomy Project
Cultural Astronomy is one of the best ways of popularising modern astronomy and space sciences in this region.
On March 29, 2006, a total solar eclipse was visible from West Africa. My colleagues and I used this celestial event as the center point of a conference on African Cultural Astronomy.
Following the conference, the African Cultural Astronomy Project was born; (more information at (www.africastronomy.org).
The main objectives of the project are:
- To unearth the body of traditional knowledge of astronomy by peoples of the different ethnic groups in Africa;
- To re-interpret this body of knowledge in the light of modern/western astronomy;
- To understand the ways and degrees through which this knowledge and beliefs shaped the lived realities of the people of Africa;
- To add to our understanding of African scientific practices, and this can be used to augment science education.
Conclusions
It has been argued that, “as the science that provides the framework knowledge of where we, and the planet on which we live, fit into the environment of the universe, astronomy is a vital part of the culture of all mankind. A person deprived of the broad outlines of astronomical knowledge is as culturally handicapped as one never exposed to history, literature, music or art.”
In West Africa, and other parts of Africa, there are hundreds of ethnic cosmogonies and mythologies that need to be studied systematically.
Cultural astronomy is an interdisciplinary research field and provides a good opportunity for interaction and collaboration on astronomy; anthropology; African art, history, religion, geography, culture, etc.
It also a powerful tool for creating awareness and interest in modern astronomy and space science.
