The Science and Astronomy of Indigenous Australians
David Caro building, Level 7 conference room
More information
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Dr Duane Hamacher, Faculty
Monash Indigenous Studies Centre
Email: Duane.Hamacher[at]monash.edu
Abstract
As scientists, we often dismiss traditional knowledge as myth, legend, and folklore. Without written records, and with so many oral traditions containing supernatural elements, how can we take it seriously? This view is a product of Western scientific discourse and poses an obstacle to our understanding of Indigenous knowledge systems, which have been developed for tens of thousands of years of observation, experimentation, and application. Rather than dismissing this as myth, scientists are now working closely with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander elders to explore the crossroad between science and culture - finding innovative new solutions to ongoing problems and reconsidering the ways we think of orality, science, and Indigenous cultures.