2.5 To find out how african peoples used the position of the stars

Natural sciences

The earth and beyond

The stars

Educator section

Memorandum

Assignment 4:

1. Remote areas

2. No access to newspapers, magazines, TV and radio

3. Do/does not own a calendar

4. Maybe completely illiterate

5. Still believe/believes in the traditions and customs of forefathers

6. OTHER POSSIBILITIES

Leaner section

Content

Activity: to find out how african peoples used the position of the stars to their advantage [lo 3.1]

• The Vendas see the stars that form the Southern Cross and accompanying stars as giraffes. The giraffe stars appear above the horizon just after sunset in October, to remind the people that it is time to prepare to plant their crops.
• The Xhosas also wait for the appearance of the Southern Cross to begin their sowing. The constellation appears towards the end of winter. When it appears they know that it is time to start ploughing the fields.
• The Tswana people tell the story of how a crocodile swallows the sun each evening and spits it out again in the morning.
• Chinese people used to believe that an eclipse of the sun occurs when a dragon tries to swallow the sun. At such times they used to beat drums and shout to frighten off the dragon.

ASSIGNMENT 4

• Explain why African peoples had to rely on the constellations to determine the time for planting crops. Try to supply at least three reasons.

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2.___________________________________________________________________

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3.___________________________________________________________________

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Assessment

Learning Outcome 3: The learner will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the interrelationships between science and technology, society and the environment.

Assessment Standard 3.1: We know this when the learner understands science and technology in the historical context.