Abstract
The title of this article “Arawak Astronomy” suggests that the research matter
concerns the astronomy of an already well-defined ethnographic entity. This
however does not do justice to the complexities of Arawak (pre)history. This
contribution aims to discuss and connect the available historical and ethnographic
data on Arawak astronomies as gathered by the author (Jara 2000),
with the most recent research on the archeology and comparative linguistics of
the Arawak diaspora. The article argues that Arawak astronomy has to be related
to the cultural and sociopolitical continuities and discontinuities of the Arawak
diaspora throughout the lowlands of tropical South America. This article recognizes
the need to consider Arawak astronomy has an object to be discovered and
explained within its local and regional contexts. Notwithstanding these remarks,
based on a sustained examination of ethnohistorical and ethnographic sources,
this article proposes that Arawak astronomy can be characterized by at least four
elements: firstly, a horizon system of observation which combines the observation
of the solar solstices and equinoxes with the near heliacal and near cosmic rising or setting of at least seven star groups – the Pleiades, the Hyades, the upper
stars of the constellation of Scorpius (including a Sco), Corvus, the Belt of
Orion, several stars near Sirius, and the Milky Way. Secondly, the association of
the rising and setting of these star groups with the seasonal cycle, mainly with
the start and/or of the end of rainy and dry seasons. Thirdly, the widespread
association of the stars of the year (most commonly the Pleiades but sometimes
Orion or the head of Scorpius) with the beginning of the agricultural cycle and
consequently with the end of the heavy rains announcing the time to plant the
new fields. The last and fourth commonality are the inscriptions or markings of
the origin of the stars in the local landscape, lakes, mountains, and other salient
landscape features.
This chapter examines specially the relationships between the astronomical
notions with the subsistence activities and the symbolic appropriation of the
landscape. It focuses on the case of the coastal and central Arawak of the
Guianas.
concerns the astronomy of an already well-defined ethnographic entity. This
however does not do justice to the complexities of Arawak (pre)history. This
contribution aims to discuss and connect the available historical and ethnographic
data on Arawak astronomies as gathered by the author (Jara 2000),
with the most recent research on the archeology and comparative linguistics of
the Arawak diaspora. The article argues that Arawak astronomy has to be related
to the cultural and sociopolitical continuities and discontinuities of the Arawak
diaspora throughout the lowlands of tropical South America. This article recognizes
the need to consider Arawak astronomy has an object to be discovered and
explained within its local and regional contexts. Notwithstanding these remarks,
based on a sustained examination of ethnohistorical and ethnographic sources,
this article proposes that Arawak astronomy can be characterized by at least four
elements: firstly, a horizon system of observation which combines the observation
of the solar solstices and equinoxes with the near heliacal and near cosmic rising or setting of at least seven star groups – the Pleiades, the Hyades, the upper
stars of the constellation of Scorpius (including a Sco), Corvus, the Belt of
Orion, several stars near Sirius, and the Milky Way. Secondly, the association of
the rising and setting of these star groups with the seasonal cycle, mainly with
the start and/or of the end of rainy and dry seasons. Thirdly, the widespread
association of the stars of the year (most commonly the Pleiades but sometimes
Orion or the head of Scorpius) with the beginning of the agricultural cycle and
consequently with the end of the heavy rains announcing the time to plant the
new fields. The last and fourth commonality are the inscriptions or markings of
the origin of the stars in the local landscape, lakes, mountains, and other salient
landscape features.
This chapter examines specially the relationships between the astronomical
notions with the subsistence activities and the symbolic appropriation of the
landscape. It focuses on the case of the coastal and central Arawak of the
Guianas.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Handbook of Archaeoastronomy and Ethnoastronomy |
| Editors | Clive L.N. Ruggles |
| Publisher | Springer |
| Pages | 931-945 |
| Number of pages | 14 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 978-1-4614--6140-8 |
| ISBN (Print) | 978-1-4614-6141-1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2014 |