28 lunar mansions and Somali astrology

[Riftvalley]

https://arcadia.sba.uniroma3.it/bitstream/2307/737/1/Stars_%20seasons%20and%20weather%20in%20somali%20pastoral%20traditions.pdf

The 28 Somali lunar stations of the moon are explained from page 47 of Galaals study linked above. He disagrees with Cerulli who claimed the somali and Afar system came from Southern Arabs. I think the Somali would have articulated their astrological philosophy independently and out of necessity due to climate/seasonal movements….but who knows if those possible T Haplogroup group guys and camel herders had some influence on this cultural phenomena……or it might have come from the migration from North East Africa.


The Chinese and Indians have their own version.

I wasn’t unable to find a link to Cerulli work

The Lunar Stations In The Astronomical Ideas Of The Somalis And The Danaki - eHRAF World Cultures

This article contains an analysis and comparison of the beliefs of the Somali and the Danakil concerning astrological lunar stations. The author probes the etymology of both the Somali and the Danakil names for these lunar stations, examines varied popular beliefs about the lunar stations, and...

ehrafworldcultures.yale.edu

 

[Riftvalley]

I have only read some of this research and skimmed some others . I think it is one of the most remarkable and deeply analytical studies done on Somali society. Galaal neatly conceptualises how astrology and the movement of stars related to all facets of pastoral life including tribal conflicts (he talks about superstition related to position of lunar mansions and famous Ogaden/Isaaq conflicts). The position of the Dirir Lunar mansion is said to have played a part in the wins/losses during wars.

The scholar has possibly documented history and traditions which are perhaps thousands of years old.