Astronomical Practices in Africa South of the Sahara

Abstract

Our species originated in Africa. From this continent our ancestors first gazed upon and contemplated the heavens. It is curious, then, that Africa south of the Sahara is the cultural area least explored with respect to its astronomical traditions. Although it would be misleading to say that little research has been conducted on indigenous African astronomy, such research has been scattered and peripheral, of small concern to Africanists in general while being relatively neglected by historians of astronomy (Warner, 1996). The lack of focus on African astronomy has been compounded by other difficulties, including the methodological inadequacies of researchers. A good deal of pertinent information has been compiled by Europeans over the past two centuries, ironically at a time when many African societies were being effectively destroyed by European colonial regimes. Few of the early explorers, missionaries and conquerors had an special interest in collecting astronomical traditions; nor have many later field researchers who compiled vital ethnographic data had much background in or concern for astronomy. All scholarship from the field, therefore, must be handled with care.