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The sky entities as represented in African literature

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2011

Evelyn N. Urama
Evelyn N. Urama*
Affiliation:
Dept. of English & Literary Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria email: [email protected]
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Abstract

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Astronomical observations used by the ancient people of Africa were developed out of the people's desire to have concrete manifestations of their gods and religious beliefs as well as for time-keeping – day, night and calendar for agricultural and festive seasons. The sky entities (the solar and stellar systems) observed become part of the lives and events here on Earth and so are also part of the context of African literature. This paper examines the ways in which different African peoples have reflected on the role of the sky entities in their literature.

Keywords

Astronomy and literaturescience and societycultural astronomy
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. 294 - 300
Copyright
Copyright © International Astronomical Union 2011

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