Isilimela - Digging Stars (Xhosa)
Constellation: Tau & M45
Source: https://www.raritanval.edu/sites/default/files/6.4.5_SD.7.AfricanMythology.pdf
Finder Chart:
Date: 4/8/21 9:09 PM Local Time
Location: Comanche Springs Astronomy Campus near Crowell, TX
Seeing: Good
Transparency: Good
Instrument Used: 8x50 Binoculars
Notes/Description: None
Sketch
Questions
1. Does the selected and sketched pattern resemble any known asterism or official constellation that we use today? If so, which one(s)?
It is M45.
2. Did the culture in this section have a similar mythology (e.g. dogs, hunter, boat, etc.)?
Unknown.
3. If yes, describe any material differences in either the figure's star pattern as imagined by the culture, and / or the difference in the mythology.
No difference in the star patterns.
4. Is it likely that this star group, for this culture, may have been influenced by older or adjacent cultures? If so, whom?
Possibly. Africa is a large continent with other cultures sharing commerce and ideas. This may have been shared.
5. If, for this culture, this group was significant for calendar, crop, or social events, describe what was involved, and how the timing or the appearance of the group was important or useful.
Since these are called the Digging Stars, when M45 first appears in the morning's twilight for the Mayan culture, it was time for them to plant the seeds. Since Africa is also in the southern hemisphere, it might have held the same meaning, first see M45 in the morning twilight, time to plant seeds.
