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anakuroma's review against another edition
5.0
TW: racism, colonisation, mentions of death
Honestly one of my books of the year.
Colonisation erases already-known truths of astronomy that indigonous people discovered far before western astronomers 'discovered' them. This is a brilliant anti-racist history of the stars as told by indigonous Elders and Knowledge holders, aptly recorded (with permission).
Honestly one of my books of the year.
Colonisation erases already-known truths of astronomy that indigonous people discovered far before western astronomers 'discovered' them. This is a brilliant anti-racist history of the stars as told by indigonous Elders and Knowledge holders, aptly recorded (with permission).
pageglue's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
The First Astronomers is basically as advertised: the history of indigenous astronomy. The science writing is very accessible and interesting, and it was fascinating to learn how scientific knowledge was passed down through oral tradition in the form of myths and dances.
A key difference between Western and Indigenous astronomy is that we think of astronomy as being an “out there” thing, out in the cold distance of space, a distinct and seperate scientific discipline. But indigenous thinking is far more interdisciplinary and closer to home, the most practical of which being navigation and weather prediction. And some rock art, myths, and dances even record astronomical events from hundreds of years ago that can be corroborated by written sources in Europe and Asia. What’s really cool is how present day astronomers are looking to oral histories and written ancient histories to form innovative theories about astronomy.
Although advertised as being knowledge from indigenous elders all over the world, the great majority of the content comes from Australia’s Torres Straight Islands, then some from Australia more broadly, a little from North America, and barely anything from anywhere else. Still, I’d recommend this for anyone who looks up at the night sky in wonder and awe.
A key difference between Western and Indigenous astronomy is that we think of astronomy as being an “out there” thing, out in the cold distance of space, a distinct and seperate scientific discipline. But indigenous thinking is far more interdisciplinary and closer to home, the most practical of which being navigation and weather prediction. And some rock art, myths, and dances even record astronomical events from hundreds of years ago that can be corroborated by written sources in Europe and Asia. What’s really cool is how present day astronomers are looking to oral histories and written ancient histories to form innovative theories about astronomy.
Although advertised as being knowledge from indigenous elders all over the world, the great majority of the content comes from Australia’s Torres Straight Islands, then some from Australia more broadly, a little from North America, and barely anything from anywhere else. Still, I’d recommend this for anyone who looks up at the night sky in wonder and awe.
bethanybaggins's review against another edition
informative
reflective
5.0
What a phenomenal read! This book puts a spotlight on Indigenous knowledge and it does so in a wonderfully accessible manner. Highly recommend if you want to learn more about astronomy.
greymatter_24's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
archytas's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
4.25
This is a handy introduction to the varied practice of astronomy by Aboriginal and, especially, Torres Strait Islander peoples. Hamacher covers both topics which overlap with Western astronomy - how navigation can be achieved via stars, for example, or what was understood about eclipses, and those which do not, such as the information which can be gleaned about weather from star and sun observation. This is a book for those interested in astronomy - it is not overly technical, but it is focused on science. Humacher introduces a wide array of Tjukurrpa discussed, it is often in the context of how this might have reflected astronomical phenomena. It is very readable, though, and certainly made me want to go back to somewhere I could stars properly again.