Constellations and Time Keeping used by Indigenous Communities in the Northwestern Amazonian Region

منو

" Constellations and Time Keeping used by Indigenous Communities in the Northwestern Amazonian Region "
Cardoso, Walmir

Document Type	:	AL
Record Number	:	921647
Doc. No	:	LA7qn7t90d
Language of Document	:	English
Main Entry	:	Cardoso, Walmir
Title & Author	:	Constellations and Time Keeping used by Indigenous Communities in the Northwestern Amazonian Region [Article]\ Cardoso, Walmir
Title of Periodical	:	Journal of Astronomy in Culture
Volume/ Issue Number	:	1/1
Date	:	2016
Abstract	:	This article is the result of research conducted from 2005 to 2007 in Brazil’s Amazon region. Relying on participant observation and ethnomathematics sources, on practical sky observation activities, and on classical sources about constellations observed in Brazil’s Amazon region, a sky mapping project was undertaken with Tukano, Desana and Tuyuka indigenous communities. At the Yupuri School, an astronomical calendar was created that integrates specific environmental and climate events based on descriptions of many constellations from different indigenous communities. This investigation found that in the northwest, Amazonian Indians mark rain periods, drought, planting and harvesting by the set and rise of major constellations. To complement these findings, non-Indian materials were also analyzed mainly from the researchers of the early 20<sup>th</sup> century who worked in the northwestern state of Amazonas.