[AstroNet] IYA and indigenous astronomical knowledge

[Kevin Govender]

Greetings to the AstroNet list
Please see below regarding indigenous astronomy and contact me if you 
have ideas to implement activities during IYA.
What is especially needed is someone who is willing to champion the 
Indigenous Astronomy part of IYA (and possibly beyond).
Regards
Kevin


-------- Original Message --------
Subject: 	[Fwd: Fw: IYA and indigenous astronomical knowledge]
Date: 	Thu, 18 Sep 2008 10:36:57 +0200
From: 	Kevin Govender <kg at saao.ac.za>
To: 	SNEDEGKE at uvu.edu



Hi Keith
This email was forwarded to me by the AstroNet moderator so that we 
could discuss first before sending to the full list.
There are definitely plans - the key players at the moment are Iziko 
Planetarium (Themba), SAAO (Sivuyile and Thebe), and Unizul science 
centre (Mdumiseni).
For IYA we are looking to produce some additional materials to assist in 
outreach. As you say it's a very good tool to make the link with science 
amongst common people.

Your expertise in the field would be highly appreciated. Please send us 
ideas that you have.
Do you know about the African Cultural Astronomy Project? It is run by 
Johnson Urama in Nigeria. (http://www.africastronomy.org/)

Let's keep brainstorming - I will send this out to the AstroNet list for 
their information
Regards
Kevin





----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Keith Snedegar" <SNEDEGKE at uvu.edu>
To: <astronet at mail.saasta.ac.za>
Sent: Wednesday, September 17, 2008 6:56 PM
Subject: IYA and indigenous astronomical knowledge


I wonder if there are any plans to incorporate presentations of indigenous 
African astronomical knowledge in the celebrations of IYA.  The touring 
exhibit of Timbuktu manuscripts might provide one opportunity.  Thebe Medupe 
is leading a team of scholars studying the astronomical content of these 
medieval texts.  The film, Cosmic Africa, also is a healthy introduction to 
the practice of sky watching in African societies.  And the "African Nights" 
sky show produced by the Iziko Museum Planetarium some years ago could 
possibly be revived.

It seems to me that the value of "cultural astronomy" presentations is in 
bridging the gap between the scientific profession and common people who 
might otherwise believe astronomy to be something altogether alien from 
mundane life.  I have some background in studying the astronomical practices 
of African peoples and would be glad to support any indigenous knowledge 
aspect of IYA activities.

Keith Snedegar
Professor of History
Utah Valley University
800 W. University Parkway
Orem, UT  84058-5999
(801) 863-8847 voice
(801) 863-7013 fax
snedegke at uvu.edu




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