ZULUS INDIGENOUS ASTRONOMY CRITICAL EVALUATION OF INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE

ZULUS’ INDIGENOUS ASTRONOMY CRITICAL EVALUATION OF INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE OF STARS IN THE ZULU CULTURE Mdumiseni Nxumalo (zwide@webmail. co. za) UNIVERSITY OF ZULULAND SCIENCE CENTRE - SOUTH AFRICA CAP 2007 IN ATHENS GREECE

THE INFLATABLE Contact Mdumiseni: zwide@webmail. co. za You can google unizul science centre OR go through SAASTEC

INTRODUCTION Old Zulu people wondered about night skies. They had different starlore and myths as it is across world cultures. Star-lore and myths were and still are stimulators of interest in stars (astronomy). However, some of these myths have led to misconceptions known as bad astronomy (Plait, 2002). Bad astronomy results from more than just that but according to Plait modern star movies need attention of astronomy communicators. Research involving elderly people identified important indigenous knowledge of the nature of stars. Such knowledge was used in the yearly prediction of the seasons. For instance some plants’ and crops’ behaviors were found to coincide with some events in the sky. The knowledge was useful in the prehistoric means of agriculture. This knowledge is facing extinction for it was not effectively passed on.

INSPIRATION Contact: zwide@webmail. co. za • Running planetarium shows audience asking questions on pre-knowledge • Father told stories (died in March) – generational gap • Learners attending planetarium shows – showing knowledge of the night sky We must find the connection with modern astronomy

IKS & Relevance • Keys to Education and Scientific Literacy • SCIENCE LITERACY - science is NOT "common sense" TO MOST To change “this view” of science, one must communicate science that is relevant to a population and its culture. • RELEVANCY - is a Foundation for LEARNERS to understand real life situations and problems. • I. K. S. - aids in scientific relevancy to a population and its culture

Relevancy… • Relevancy allows Learners to be actively drawn into seeking information to understand their real life situations and problems • Relevancy is a reference to an already existing piece of knowledge or experience. • All people seek relevance for their "understanding. “ • I. K. S. are a centerpiece to the seeking of Relevancy for the rural learner

Aims of the presentation • Bring indigenous knowledge of stars to astronomy communicators’ attention • Encourage identification and documentation of indigenous knowledge of stars (indigenous astronomy). • Encourage more scientific research that will lead to critical evaluation of indigenous astronomy with an aim of identifying its value towards the development of astronomy education.

Identified Problems The indigenous knowledge system (IKS) is often misinterpreted, yet it is a good and inspiring approach in communicating astronomy (like in any other field of science and technology). It is vital to asses the existing indigenous knowledge of stars. Some knowledge and beliefs about stars is correct, some are incorrect or distorted and faces extinction if not identified, documented and preserved.

Facts and Assumptions • 1. Fact: There exists indigenous knowledge of stars among the elderly people in Zululand. • 2. Assumption: Some indigenous knowledge of stars is correct; some is incorrect and or distorted • 3. Fact: Indigenous knowledge of stars was not effectively passed on and faces extinction. • 4. Assumption: Indigenous knowledge of stars is useful as a foundation for teaching modern astronomy.

Significance of IKS in Astronomy • There must be dialogue about integration of the IKS component into astronomy education. • IKS is good in that people will easily identify with the subject and thus interest will be stimulated. • The findings about indigenous astronomy would facilitate people’s ownership of the astronomy subject across different cultures. • Would improve people’s understanding of astronomy. • Contribution to South Africa’s involvement in the International Year of Astronomy 2009 vision (www. iya 2009). • Documentation of the findings would help to preserve the indigenous knowledge of the stars. • Lastly, the study would contribute to the IKS component of astronomy education is South Africa.

Significance cont… However limited research has been undertaken to identify and document the existing indigenous knowledge of stars. Further, some of the indigenous knowledge of stars is correct, some is incorrect or distorted and faces extinction. Hence there is a need for a study to identify and document the existing knowledge of stars.

Local people’s interviews Interviews of locals including an elderly person showed that: • There was scientific (systematic) knowledge and not just myths and beliefs. • There were beliefs and myths about stars • There were misconceptions video

Examples of findings • Scientific/ systematic: – – – approximation of nights progress, seasons (sky activities relating to plants), looking at a star during the day, star patterns (umthala and isilimela), wind directions • Beliefs and myths: – shooting stars and meteor showers related to deaths of people • Misconceptions: – seashell believed to be coming from the moon

Future Plans • Currently involved in research into indigenous astronomy • Planned “Zulu Hut” Planetarium (expansion on current mobile planetarium) • IKS Exhibition at UZ Sc. Centre

END THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION zwide@webmail. co. za