Imagine standing under the vast African sky, filled with countless stars twinkling in the night. For the Dogon, these stars are more than distant lights—they are deeply intertwined with their myths and beliefs. The Dogon possess an astronomical knowledge that predates modern science, and it’s their understanding of the Sirius star system that has particularly fascinated scholars.
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00:00Welcome back to our exploration of the mystical Dogon demigods.
00:09In our last episode, we unveil the enigmatic Namo, the divine being central to Dogon mythology.
00:18Today, we venture into the stars to uncover the profound celestial knowledge of the Dogon
00:25people and their extraordinary connection to the cosmos.
00:30Imagine standing under the vast African sky filled with countless stars twinkling in the
00:37night.
00:38For the Dogon, these stars are more than distant lights, they are deeply intertwined with their
00:44myths and beliefs.
00:47The Dogon possess an astronomical knowledge that predates modern science, and it's their
00:54understanding of the Sirius star system that has particularly fascinated scholars.
01:00The Dogon's most remarkable revelation is their knowledge of Sirius B, a white dwarf
01:08star invisible to the naked eye.
01:11According to Dogon lore, the Namo informed them of Sirius B's existence long before it
01:18was discovered by Western astronomers in 1862.
01:23How could an ancient, isolated tribe have such precise knowledge of a star system 8.6
01:30light-years away?
01:31The Dogon believe that Sirius B, known as Potolo in their language, is a tiny but immensely
01:40heavy star, describing it as the heaviest seed in the universe.
01:45This aligns with modern descriptions of white dwarfs, which are incredibly dense.
01:52The Namo are said to have come from a planet orbiting Sirius B, bringing with them their
01:59advance, knowledge and spiritual teachings.
02:03This celestial connection doesn't stop at Sirius B. The Dogon also speak of a third
02:10star in the Sirius system, called Emya, which they describe as having a larger orbit around
02:17them.
02:18Sirius A, a modern astronomy, has yet to confirm the existence of Sirius C. The Dogon's detail
02:26accounts continue to intrigue and inspire curiosity.
02:32The significance of these stars is celebrated through Dogon rituals and ceremonies.
02:40One such ceremony, Zesigui, a once-in-sixty-year event that marks the renewal of the world
02:48and the rebirth of the Namo, during this celebration the Dogon honor the Namo's descent from the
02:56heavens and their divine gifts to humanity.
03:00The Dogon's astronomical knowledge is not just a testament to their observational skills
03:07but also a profound reflection their spiritual beliefs.
03:12For them the stars are not just physical entities but living beings with whom they share a cosmic
03:19bond.
03:21This celestial connection reinforces their understanding of the universe and their place
03:27within it.
03:28In the next episode, we'll delve into the dramatic role of the Namo in the Dogon creation
03:35story and their influence on the formation of the cosmos.
03:40Don't forget to like, subscribe and hit the notification bell so you won't miss any of
03:48our upcoming episodes.
03:50Thank you for joining us on this celestial journey and stay tuned as we continue to uncover
03:57the secrets of the Dogon demigods.