Space and man (1)

THE story of humanity’s fascination with space is as old as civilization itself. For millennia, humans have gazed at the night sky tracing the patterns of stars and seeking to understand the mysteries of the universe. Today, our exploration of space has moved beyond observation. We have stepped into the cosmos, aiming to unlock the secrets that lie beyond our planet. In this article and subsequent ones, I will explore the relationship between space and man, from our ancient myths to our modern ambitions. The term “space” was first used to mean the region beyond Earth’s sky by John Milton in his 1667 novel “Paradise Lost”. Due to advancement in knowledge, we got to know that our planet “earth” is also part of space. Therefore, we often refer to our expanding universe with one simple word: “space”. 

People often asked the question: Where does space begin and where does it end?

The term “outer space” was first recorded later actually, as an astronomical term used by Alexander von Humboldt in 1845. It has often been confused with the term “space”. For all intents and purposes, outer space is basically what lies beyond the Earth’s atmosphere such as, the sun, the moon and the stars. The night sky has always been a source of wonder, inspiring mythologies, religions and science. Ancient civilizations like the Egyptians and Greeks saw the heavens as the home of gods and spirits.  They built monuments like the Pyramids, aligning them with celestial events to mark the passage of time. From this fascination was born the study of astronomy. Astronomy laid the foundation for modern science, thereby influencing the development of mathematics, physics, and navigation. Man’s ambition to understand space has always been tied to our desire to make sense of our existence. The stars have not only been a source of wonder but also a way to understand time, seasons, and our place in the universe. 

This curiosity led to the development of telescopes in the 17th century, revealing a universe far more vast and complex than imagined. The discoveries of Copernicus, Galileo, and Newton transformed our view of the cosmos, showing us that Earth was not the center of the universe, but part of an ever-expanding space. In ancient times, Africans held a rich and complex understanding of the universe, blending astronomy, spirituality, and mythology. These beliefs, rooted in observation and oral tradition, varied across the continent but generally shared certain perspectives. 

In many African cosmologies, the universe was seen as a living, interconnected whole, where celestial bodies, nature, and humanity were bound together by a spiritual force. This concept is reflected in the belief that the stars, planets, and other celestial phenomena directly influenced life on Earth. In cultures like the Dogon of Mali, for example, there are intricate cosmological beliefs that describe stars, the solar system, and even invisible celestial bodies. The Dogon people have long passed down knowledge about the Sirius star system, including detailed insights into Sirius B, a faint companion star not visible to the naked eye—a fact that has intrigued scholars and anthropologists.

Across many African cultures, celestial events, such as solar and lunar eclipses, were seen as signs or messages from the divine or spirit world. For example, in some West African societies, eclipses were believed to signify changes or disruptions in the natural order. These events were sometimes interpreted as omens, often prompting rituals or ceremonies aimed at restoring balance and harmony. For instance, in the Ashanti culture of Ghana, people would often drum, sing, or perform rituals to signify their unity and seek guidance or protection during such times.

While I was growing up as a child in Ado-Ekiti in the 30s, I witnessed a rare phenomenon of total solar eclipse. During the time, no one around had the knowledge of eclipse. We all saw how the moon gradually eclipsed the sun. As this rare astronomical event went on over few minutes, all domestic animals went to their hiding places. Everyone was sorely afraid. We asked, is the world ending now? Religious people went to their churches and mosques to pray. Their prayers about the event will leave anyone in modern era in awe. The people looked to the heavens and prayed to the Supreme Being that “God please in your mercies, let the sun spare the moon, the moon is weaker ….”

Although certain aspects of space remained beyond comprehension, this “ignorance” did not suppress our quest to explore the unknown. Rather, it fueled a profound curiosity that propelled African cosmology, astronomy, and rituals celebrating the universe’s wonders – revealing a worldview that seamlessly blended the known and the unknown.

In some societies of Africa, farmers have observed celestial cycles such that they rely on some constellations to guide them on planting and harvesting seasons. In East Africa, the Kikuyu people of Kenya used the appearance of certain constellations to mark planting and harvesting seasons. The San people of Southern Africa are also known for their complex understanding of the night sky, recognizing star patterns to track seasonal changes and align their lifestyle and rituals accordingly.

Another dimension of the ancient Africans’ understanding of the Universe is that the stars were associated with the spirits of ancestors. The Yoruba of Nigeria, for example, believe that the souls of ancestors reside in the heavens (sky) and would sometimes manifest in the form of stars. This belief underscored the idea that those who had passed on continued to influence and protect the living. This view of ancestors in the cosmos provided a sense of connection, continuity, and spiritual support from the universe.

Ancient African societies not only revered the cosmos but also studied it rigorously. The Nile Valley civilizations, such as the Nubians and Egyptians, had a deep knowledge of astronomy that allowed them to create highly accurate calendars, which informed their religious ceremonies, agricultural practices, and daily life. The Great Zimbabwe civilization, with its stone structures, included alignments with celestial bodies that reflected an advanced understanding of astronomy and emphasized a harmonious relationship with the cosmos.

The ancient African perception of the universe was not only about understanding the stars and planets but also about fostering a deep spiritual relationship with the cosmos. The night sky was a tapestry that connected the physical and spiritual realms, influencing every aspect of life. Africans viewed the universe as a living entity—a guiding force that intertwined the divine, natural, and human worlds, providing a foundation for order, identity, and meaning in life.

In the next article, I will try to provide answers to such questions as where does space begin and where does it end?

Please send your comments to [email protected]

AARE AFE BABALOLA, OFR, CON, SAN, LL.D (Lond.)

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