April 08, 2024. Many people in the United States had their eyes on the sky. The solar eclipse was visible to some 30 million people. Traffic was heavy in many areas as thousands traveled to get the best view. Internet usage dropped 50%. Something had to make us look up, instead of down, on our phones.
I grew up and still live in Northeast Alabama. This area was part of the old Cherokee Nation. Since I have Cherokee heritage, I wondered what the people here believed about an eclipse, so I did a little research.
The Cherokee believed that a giant frog was trying to eat the Sun. They would beat their drums, bang rocks together, shake shells, and make as much noise as possible to scare the frog away.
Looking west to southern California, the Kumeyaay tribe believed that the Sun and moon were once lovers but realized they would throw life off balance if they stayed together. They agreed to stay separate so the sun stayed awake during the day and the moon would take the night shift. When an eclipse happens, it means they have stolen a few moments to be together.
In Arizona, the Hopi tribe believes that an eclipse is a time to pray, and for certain ceremonies, like presenting sacred names.
Others, such as the Taos Pueblo in New Mexico view the eclipse as a bad thing, they spend the time in prayer and supplication.
It is hard for modern man to put our selves in ancient man’s shoes, or moccasins, and try to imagine how they felt during celestial events. For example, pretend you are an Indian in 1833 when the Leonid Meteor Storm occurred in North America. You see the stars on every clear night, and they are constant, until one night they start shooting through the dark sky, hundreds, maybe thousands, making you quake in your moccasins. I imagine I would be looking for a hole to hide in.
This unusually plentiful and bright meteor shower had most of the people in the United States, white Europeans, African slaves, and most Native Americans, shuddering in fear and believing they were experiencing the end of the world.
Only one tribe, the Pawnee of Nebraska and northern Kansas, not only predicted the meteor shower, but celebrated it.
The shower of stars is created by debris from the Tempel-Tuttle comet that strikes the Earth’s atmosphere. But every 33 years, the comet’s orbit brings it closer to Earth and creates many more meteors. 1833 fell on that 33-year cycle.
The next year that the Tempel-Tuttle comet will visit us will be in 2031. I am looking forward to it.
I am also looking forward to the next solar eclipse that we can see from the United States, which will be on August 23, 2044. Unless, of course, the giant frog does not show up.
I grew up and still live in Northeast Alabama. This area was part of the old Cherokee Nation. Since I have Cherokee heritage, I wondered what the people here believed about an eclipse, so I did a little research.
The Cherokee believed that a giant frog was trying to eat the Sun. They would beat their drums, bang rocks together, shake shells, and make as much noise as possible to scare the frog away.
Looking west to southern California, the Kumeyaay tribe believed that the Sun and moon were once lovers but realized they would throw life off balance if they stayed together. They agreed to stay separate so the sun stayed awake during the day and the moon would take the night shift. When an eclipse happens, it means they have stolen a few moments to be together.
In Arizona, the Hopi tribe believes that an eclipse is a time to pray, and for certain ceremonies, like presenting sacred names.
Others, such as the Taos Pueblo in New Mexico view the eclipse as a bad thing, they spend the time in prayer and supplication.
It is hard for modern man to put our selves in ancient man’s shoes, or moccasins, and try to imagine how they felt during celestial events. For example, pretend you are an Indian in 1833 when the Leonid Meteor Storm occurred in North America. You see the stars on every clear night, and they are constant, until one night they start shooting through the dark sky, hundreds, maybe thousands, making you quake in your moccasins. I imagine I would be looking for a hole to hide in.
This unusually plentiful and bright meteor shower had most of the people in the United States, white Europeans, African slaves, and most Native Americans, shuddering in fear and believing they were experiencing the end of the world.
Only one tribe, the Pawnee of Nebraska and northern Kansas, not only predicted the meteor shower, but celebrated it.
The shower of stars is created by debris from the Tempel-Tuttle comet that strikes the Earth’s atmosphere. But every 33 years, the comet’s orbit brings it closer to Earth and creates many more meteors. 1833 fell on that 33-year cycle.
The next year that the Tempel-Tuttle comet will visit us will be in 2031. I am looking forward to it.
I am also looking forward to the next solar eclipse that we can see from the United States, which will be on August 23, 2044. Unless, of course, the giant frog does not show up.