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Astronomy in the cultural heritage of African societies
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 August 2006
Abstract
The African perspectives of astronomy are explored from the point of view of using indigenous knowledge of the night sky for purposes of addressing local challenges such as food insecurity and periodic natural weather phenomena such as droughts and floods. The local ethnic groups use stellar positions, and plant and animal behaviour changes for purposes of forecasting the weather and climate for the coming seasons. These traditional indicators give rise to an interdisciplinary discourse that could benefit the community in environmental protection measures and boost the tourism industry in some countries in Africa.
- Type
- Contributed Papers
- Information
- Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union , Volume 2 , Special Session SPS5: Astronomy for the developing world , August 2006 , pp. 99 - 102
- Copyright
- Copyright © International Astronomical Union 2007