Speaker
Description
Astronomy has long connected societies across East and North Africa through shared skies, cultural memory, and scientific curiosity. The historical relationship between Ethiopian and Arabian astronomy is a powerful example of this exchange, shaped by centuries of interaction along the Red Sea corridor. These connections remain visible today in the linguistic continuity of planetary nomenclature. In Amharic, the five visible planets retain names closely related to their North African and Arabic counterparts: አጣርድ (At’ard, Mercury), ዝሁራ (Zihura, Venus), መሪህ (Merih, Mars), መሽተሪ (Meshtiri, Jupiter), and ዙሐል (Zuhal, Saturn). These names demonstrate how astronomical knowledge moved across regions and how language continues to preserve scientific heritage.
Reviving and promoting this shared heritage has become an important part of science communication in Ethiopia. As public interest in astronomy grows across East Africa, culturally grounded terminology helps make the subject more relatable and accessible. The Ethiopian Space Science Society (ESSS) is actively engaging in this work, recognizing cultural astronomy as an effective bridge between communities and scientific learning.
I am leading a digital media and visual outreach project within ESSS that uses design, art, and online platforms to promote traditional planetary names. Through posters, illustrations, and creative storytelling, the initiative presents astronomy not only as a scientific discipline but as a cultural experience. This approach has proven especially effective for young audiences, who connect quickly with visually engaging and culturally familiar content.
For the African Astronomical Society (AfAS), this work highlights the importance of cultural astronomy in strengthening collaboration between East and North Africa. The shared linguistic and historical ties between these regions present opportunities for joint outreach programs, educational materials, and continent-wide engagement strategies. Ethiopia’s experience shows that even with limited resources, culturally rooted and visually creative communication can significantly expand public participation in astronomy across Africa.
| Stream | Education, Development and Outreach |
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