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ASTRONOMICAL BELIEFS, A CASE STUDY OF ASTRONOMICAL BELIEFS, A CASE STUDY OF ZAMBIAZAMBIA
BYBY
PROSPERY C. SIMPEMBAPROSPERY C. SIMPEMBA
Copperbelt University, Box 21692, Kitwe, ZambiaCopperbelt University, Box 21692, Kitwe, ZambiaE-mail: [email protected]: [email protected]
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.Each society has its own beliefs and traditions. Some beliefs and traditions relating to astronomy include Beliefs about the moon, the sun and the stars: general life style and rainfall patterns.
THE MOONTHE MOON
No diseasesNo diseases
The shape and orientation of The shape and orientation of the new moon.the new moon.
Curved not to hold anythingCurved not to hold anything
Diseases are poured off Diseases are poured off giving a disease-free month.giving a disease-free month.
Not bothered to have readily Not bothered to have readily available remediesavailable remedies
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..New moon curved upwardsNew moon curved upwards
Shaped to hold thingsShaped to hold things
Sign of looming disease Sign of looming disease
outbreaks.outbreaks.
Elders get prepared by Elders get prepared by
Gathering traditional medicineGathering traditional medicine
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Sexy of a babySexy of a baby
Conceiving when there is a new moon:Conceiving when there is a new moon:
baby is female.baby is female.
Conceiving when there is full moon: Conceiving when there is full moon:
baby is male.baby is male. Stillborn babyStillborn baby
Birth to a stillborn: mother to stay away Birth to a stillborn: mother to stay away from husband until another new moon from husband until another new moon appearsappears
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Moon and rain seasonMoon and rain season
When a new moon appears, people When a new moon appears, people expect perpetual rains. It is believe: expect perpetual rains. It is believe: the rain is washing and the rain is washing and strengthening the moon.strengthening the moon.
Dry spells are expected when the Dry spells are expected when the moon is strengthened –full moon.moon is strengthened –full moon.
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THE SUNTHE SUN
Death of witch/wizardDeath of witch/wizard
http://living.oneindia.in/insync/2008
But these are halos produced by But these are halos produced by refraction/reflectionrefraction/reflection
THE SUNTHE SUN
Shadow timeShadow time
-time was measured against the length of -time was measured against the length of the shadowthe shadow
-at noon they appeared to be standing on -at noon they appeared to be standing on the shadowthe shadow
-other positions-other positions• Seasons: movement of the sun relative to Seasons: movement of the sun relative to
overhead position.overhead position.
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STARSSTARS
A A shooting starshooting star : meteoroid that : meteoroid that burns up as it passes through the burns up as it passes through the Earth's atmosphere .Earth's atmosphere .
Ancient belief: a witch/wizard flying.Ancient belief: a witch/wizard flying.
Star seen close to the moonStar seen close to the moon if seen often: sign of finding a lover if seen often: sign of finding a lover
since the star was believed to be since the star was believed to be married to the moon.married to the moon.
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..
.. This is planet Venus, the Roman This is planet Venus, the Roman goddess of love.goddess of love.
Saying: Saying: ““IF YOU ARE NOT RELIGIOUS, YOU IF YOU ARE NOT RELIGIOUS, YOU
MUST BE A CELEBRATED ASTRONAUT MUST BE A CELEBRATED ASTRONAUT TO REACH GO”TO REACH GO”
Simpemba 2010Simpemba 2010
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THANK YOUTHANK YOU
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