Answer to Question #219595 in History for Bertina

Question

Discuss the historical beliefs about eclipses in relation to your culture. In your culture,
what does an eclipse of any type mean to your context? How do these beliefs relate
to the indigenous knowledge system? Are there still practices in your culture that are
related to eclipses?

Answer 1

The Sun is a lady in Aboriginal traditions, while the Moon is a male. The Sun woman is said to chase the Moon man around the sky from day to day, occasionally colliding during an eclipse, according to Aboriginal cultures. The Sun is a woman named Yhi who falls in love with the moon man, Bahloo, in the Euahlayi traditions of northern NSW. Bahloo is uninterested in Yhi and makes every effort to avoid her. Yhi follows Bahloo across the sky as the Sun and Moon move through the lunar cycle, warning the spirits who hold the sky up that if they let him go, she will cast down the spirit who holds the sky up and the sky-world will fall, plunging the world into eternal darkness. To battle this sign of doom, the people enlist the help of a valiant and well-respected community person, such as a Clever Man, to fight the eclipse's wickedness. Throwing sacred artifacts at the Sun while reciting a certain song or set of lyrics is one example.