Abstract
This work is the report of an astronomy non-formal education expedition carried out by the GalileoMobile initiative in the Paiter Suruí indigenous communities, in the Brazilian Amazon, that took place in November 2016. This ethnic group remained “officially uncontacted” by non-natives until the late 1960's, when the population dropped significantly and they faced deep changes in their way of living and traditions. Nowadays, the Paiter Suruí are seeking ways to maintain their cultural identity and land. Thus, differently from previous GalileoMobile itinerant projects, which had the goal of bringing modern astronomy closer to youngsters of regions with scarce access to science outreach actions, this particular expedition had the goal of establishing an exchange of knowledge related to astronomy, promoting a dialogue with the members of this group to understand and record their relationship with the sky. The ground team, comprised of three astronomers, one filmmaker and one anthropologist, undertook the study of various academic works on ethno and cultural astronomy, as well as specific texts on science education in traditional communities and ethnography of Brazilian indigenous peoples. During the expedition, interviews with the Paiter Suruí elders were held, having as a starting point astronomy outreach activities such as the sky observation with telescopes. We were able to collect three myths related to the Sun, Moon and rainbow. The result of activities, interviews and transcripts were recorded in a series of videos that will be returned to the community, so that they can be used in schools and community centres as educational material for the preservation of the Paiter Suruí culture, as well as a resource for a detailed ethnographic study of their astronomy.
Highlights
GalileoMobile is a non-profit, itinerant, science education initiative that brings modern astronomy closer to young people around the world, with emphasis in regions that have little or no access to other outreach actions
GalileoMobile went to the Bolivian Department of Pando and the neighbouring Brazilian states of Acre and Rondônia
In Barcellos’ view, astronomy could represent an opportunity towards the maintenance of their cultural identity, because the elders, holders of traditional knowledge, were becoming too old and, the knowledge of the group was in risk of disappearing
Summary
GalileoMobile (http://www.galileo-mobile.org/) is a non-profit, itinerant, science education initiative that brings modern astronomy closer to young people around the world, with emphasis in regions that have little or no access to other outreach actions. Special criticism was given to the attitudes and approach of the astronomers towards the Paiter Suruí members These critiques stimulated debates within GalileoMobile about the role of science education and outreach projects in traditional communities. The debate culminated with an ethnographic analysis of the Light-Year documentary presented during the I GalileoMobile Conference held at the Museum of Astronomy and Related Sciences (MAST) in Rio de Janeiro, in October 2016. Within this context, it was acknowledged by the GalileoMobile members the importance of having an expert in anthropology, advising the group, when working with indigenous or traditional peoples. Part of the reflections and activities developed during our second visit to the Paiter Suruí, as well as a brief introduction of the characteristics of this ethnic group, are presented in the sections that follow
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