INDIGENOUS ASTRONOMY
INDIGENOUS ASTRONOMY & STORYTELLING By: Unathi Kondile
“
SAAO Sivuyile Manxoyi with Simgaye Sithole who has always wanted to be an astronomer
A people without the knowledge of their past, origin and cultural heritage are like a tree with no roots,” said renowned
Mam’ Gcina, through her Gcinamasiko Arts & Heritage Trust, has
storyteller Dr Gcina Mhlophe, who was speaking to a group of
been working with the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI)
pupils, parents and scientists at Emaxulwini Primary School
and the SAAO for the past few years and has joined them in a
hall in South Africa's Mpumalanga township.
number of events such as “Campfire under the stars”. Her pressing interest now is to ensure that young people of today do not lose
It’s a rainy Saturday morning as we take a taxi from Durban
touch with the culture of storytelling. Her stories are a mixture of
central to Hammarsdale. We hop off at the local Hammersdale
isiZulu and how things were done traditionally. The parents can
Mall and then catch another taxi that drops us straight in
relate, but to the children it is all news. Learning that what they
front of the primary school where the event is at.
think is new has actually been happening in the past.
As we arrive at Emaxulwini Primary, Sivuyile Manxoyi
We then sit down with a Hammarsdale community member, Deneo
and Buzani Khumalo of the South African Astronomical
Koloko, who is also the founder and director of a Non-Profit
Observatory (SAAO) are wrapping up a chat about Indigenous
Organisation called Let’s Read Together. Let’s Read Together and
Astronomy for future generations. The attendees were quite
Gcinamasiko Arts and Heritage Trust were the hosts of this event
keen to know more about African traditional astronomy; the
at Emaxulwini.
significance of stars and predicting weather patterns in the past. It was all a science done without astronomers and space
“We wanted attendees to gain knowledge in astronomy and have
scientists. Africans were natural astronomers.
a clear understanding of what it is and what opportunities exist in astronomy,” explains Koloko, who used her extensive networks to
“If you want to change the story, you must change the story-
invite high school learners living in Hammarsdale, especially those
teller!” says Noel Kok, the founder of an organisation called
studying science and mathematics. It was a good turnout as the
NEWF, which trains African filmmakers and storytellers across
venue was filled to capacity, with learners at the back sharing
the continent. Kok encourages the young learners to check
their excitement and how some of them had actually wanted to
their website newf.co.za for regular updates on film funding
become astronomers.
opportunities and how to work with them in African storytelling production.
“We would love for you to leave us with information brochures on which exact science courses we should take to get into astronomy,”
An environmental film is screened before Dr Mhlophe leaps
said 16-year-old Anelakho (surname withheld).
up to the front whilst reciting a poem about young girls carrying wood on their heads. The crowd cheers on with
“Since I got into high school all I ever wanted to study was
excitement. She is no stranger to this community. She was
astronomy, astronomy, astronomy," said another high school pupil,
born in Hammersdale in 1958 and went on to finish her mat-
Simgaye Sithole. "And whenever I tell people that I want to study
ric at Mfundisweni High School. The pupils and parents simply
astronomy or astrophysics, they usually ask me what it is and
call her “Mam’ Gcina” as she greets us all and begins to narrate
where will I find a job in that. They also ask why I don't study
some tales of the night sky.
Law or Medicine".
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African Science Stars Issue 3 | www.assap.co.za
