ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the celestial culture of the ancient inhabitants of the Nile Valley, Bakongo of Congo, and Dogon of Mali, and other African cultures. The relationship between celestial bodies and culture is a primordial one. Perhaps the most arcane if not practical use of celestial bodies is to mark time or more accurately create time. To create time, reference points are needed both in the sky and on the Earth. African celestial reasoning suggests correspondence, pattern, and harmony among created forms. The celestial symbols of Africa extend well beyond the primordial zodiac of the Nile Valley into the rich mythological accounts of creation, legendary ancestors, and great rulers found across the continent. As with other aspects of African perception, celestial entities are ascribed anthropomorphic qualities complete with social roles. Not all celestial symbols are anthropomorphic or zoomorphic. African celestial reasoning uses all manner of plants, stones, grains, colors, shapes, sounds, and materials as sources.
