Ray P. Norris
Each of the 400 different indigenous
cultures in Australia has a distinct mythology, ceremonies, and art forms, some
of which have a strong astronomical component. Many share common traditions
such as the “emu in the sky” constellation of dark clouds, and stories about
the Sun, Moon, Orion, and the Pleiades. Several use the rising and setting of
particular stars to indicate the time to harvest a food source, and some
link the Sun and Moon to tides, and even explain the origin of eclipses as
a conjunction of the Sun and Moon. Such traditions reveal a depth and
complexity of Aboriginal cultures which are not widely appreciated by
outsiders. This talk will explore the wonderful mystical Aboriginal astronomical
stories and traditions and the way in which these are used for practical
applications such as navigation and harvesting, as well as describing the
journey of exploration which is opening Western eyes to this treasury of ancient
Aboriginal knowledge.