Australian Aboriginal astronomy- where can I get info?

[mental4astro]

Hi all,

I have a facination for things Indigenous. However, my knowledge of Aboriginal cultural elements astronomical/cosmological saddly lacks. Does anyone know where I may be able to obtain some more reading on it? Books, web, etc?

It seems that all the info I can gather either makes no reference to it (!?), or is so limited it really is of no real use or trivializes it.

Amazes me as the nighttime has as much significance as the daytime.

Unless, of course, it requires further initiation, in which case it means walkabout time...

[noswonky]

Try
http://www.emudreaming.com/

[Suzy]

Go on, I want to see this:prey2:.... strip off, grab a loin cloth :whistle: and nab a spear. :D
I therefore will not be able help you in this post as any help would not work in my favour. :D :innocent:

Oh okay... :rolleyes:
I'm too nice for my own good :rolleyes:

You know Alex, it's an interesting point that you raised - wanting to learn more about Aboriginal Astronomy. We hear so much don't we on the ancients, but not of our own culture.

How about contacting some Aboriginal groups and no doubt you will eventually get steered in the right direction. I'm guessing a google search will bring up some groups to start with :question:. Perhaps even Aboriginal groups within the government :question:.

[mental4astro]

WOW :eyepop: !!!

Just the thing I was after. Thanks so much, mate!

What a leg-up!




Join me? "Me Tarzan, you Jane"




Good suggestion, ta, Susy.

[erick]

I think there are a few references in emudreaming (further reading) - but there isn't much more, as far as I can see. It is a relatively new field of study since about the 90s?

[AdrianF]

The ABC had a documentary on Indigenous Astronomy a few months or so back. Maybe it is still available on their site.

Adrian

[AdrianF]

And here it is
http://www.abc.net.au/tv/messagestick/stories/s2730570.htm

Adrian

[gaa_ian]

This is one of my specialties Alexander.
Here is a couple of links of my involvement.
http://www.nightskysecrets.com/blog/archives/2007_08_01_index.html
http://www.askarticles.com/Article/International-Space-Station--ISS----A-Link-With-Aboriginal-History/144528
I can certainly recommend Rays Emu Dreaming book to you.
I conduct indigenous Astronomy tours each year at the Garma Festival of Aboriginal Culture.
Hope this helps

[UniPol]

An excellent HB book which is rather hard to get and very pricey is :

Explorers of the Southern Sky : A History of Australian Astronomy

Try :

http://www.cambridge.org/us/catalogue/catalogue.asp?isbn=9780521144919

Apparently it is supposed to released in PB sometime this month.

[erick]

Ray Norris gave a great talk at Border Stargaze on this subject.

[Paddy]

John Morieson is from Inglewood, Victoria and has done extensive research on records of the Boorong people's astronomy. He gives excellent talks and has written a book:
Stars over Tyrrell : the night sky legacy of the Boorong

I haven't read the book but I'm sure it would be very good.

[Paddy]

PS anyone interested might want to look at this star pary in Sea Lake on 2/10 which features a number of presenters on Indigenous astronomy.

http://sealake.vic.au/starparty/the-night-sky-of-the-boorong

Only just found it myself.

[chrisp9au]

Agreed!

Ray Norris will be on the ABC on Thursday night, Catalyst at 8pm, but speaking on astro physics I think, not Aboriginal Astronomy.

Cheers :thumbsup:
Chris

[erick]

'Onya Ray :thumbsup:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/09/16/3013139.htm

[ballaratdragons]

I was going to suggest you contact Ian (gaa_ian) as he is heavily involved in Indigenous Astronomy in the Nthn Territory, but I see he has already replied
:thumbsup:

ONYA IAN :lol:

[acropolite]

While not entirely focussed on Australian Aboriginal astronomy, The Seven Sisters of the Pleades by Munya Andrews gives an insight in to Aboriginal Australian stories and compares other stories from around the world of the Pleades cluster.

[GrahamL]

We have a copy of Australia Dreaming ( 1980 ?) which has a decent
chapter on astronomy , its been reprinted many times and is an exceptional book so a library should have one available .

Actually i think we might also have a much older series of books of which one was completely about dreaming and the night sky , I 'll try and locate it and have a read
through.

I really like the sourthern cross as seen by the old people of coastal NQ..Can you see the two hunters in there canoe closing in on the stingray ?

[glenc]

Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander people have between 40,000 and 60,000 years of pre-colonial history that includes stories of constellations they observed in the night sky and traditions that align with the stars and the moon. But until recently, these stories were largely dismissed by the scientific community.
http://theconversation.com/speaking-with-duane-hamacher-on-indigenous-astronomy-35671

[Blue Skies]

If you're on FBook there is Aboriginal Skies (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Aboriginal-Skies/156305897720881), which is run by Paul Curnow and is attached to the Adelaide Planetarium.

[gaa_ian]

Dont forget Ray & Cilla Norris & their great little book "Emu Dreaming" much of the material gathered up in my old town Gove NT. Good to hear from you Jacquie !