The Stars We Know: Crow Indian Astronomy and Lifeways [Paperback]

Timothy P. McCleary (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1996 | ISBN-10: 0881339245 | ISBN-13: 978-0881339246

This fascinating ethnography explores how the Crow Indians have blended scientific observation with religious symbolism to develop traditions that are a cornerstone of their culture. For centuries, the Crow people have kept a careful watch on the heavens above them--particularly the cycles and movements of the stars, the sun, the moon, and certain planets. Their interpretations of these cosmic phenomena have shaped the principles by which the Crow live, providing a sense of right and wrong and an attendant set of values and ethics. The Crow speak of this celestial wisdom as "the stars we know." In this illustrated volume, McCleary provides description and background but lets the Crow star knowledge unfold through the words of contemporary tribal elders, whose narratives describe the origins and organization of the universe and the history of constellations that have special religious interpretation and history. A valuable contribution to the study of Native American theology as well as an important record of Crow oral traditions.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Titles of interest also available from Waveland Press: Fabian, Patterns in the Sky: An Introduction Ethnoastronomy (ISBN 9781577661818) and Hultkrantz, Native Religions of North America: The Power of Visions and Fertility (ISBN 9780881339857).

Product Details

• Paperback: 127 pages
• Publisher: Waveland Pr Inc (November 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0881339245
• ISBN-13: 978-0881339246
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #873,846 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Down to earth view of indigenous astronomy, June 1, 2005

By 

Rabbit (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Stars We Know: Crow Indian Astronomy and Lifeways (Paperback)

In the New Age, hanging out with the 'star people' is one of the favorite activities of the cotton-candy fluff crowd. Instead of the superficial 'sweetness and light' one finds in that type of approach, Tim McCleary documents the words of the Crow people themselves. An anthropologist, he speaks the Crow language, and he was also adopted into a Crow family, where knowledge of the stars is usually passed on only through family membership ties. He also teaches at the Crow college, Little Big Horn College http://www.lbhc.cc.mt.us/.

The foreword by Claire Farrer is an education in itself, being a survey of many of the major works on native peoples, their astronomical systems, and what those systems tell us about the native cultures. Many explore quite in depth how those cultures not only viewed life, but used the stars and constellations in a way that had an impact on their daily lives, particularly when it came to planting and harvesting crops. She does however leave out Anthony Aveni, the father of archaeoastronomy.

Talking to many Crow elders, Dr. McCleary recorded their words of what is known about the meaning, use, and purpose of the Crow (Absaroke) constellations. Many are used to keep track of the seasons and weather. Not only when the changes were coming, but even how severe the entire winter season might be, for instance. Sadly, some of this knowledge has vanished. Two constellations are named but the actual stars they refer to and the stories for them are no longer known.

A chart with the 14 Crow stars and constellations and their correlation to those more commonly taught in contemporary Western European astronomy will be referred back to quite often. While occasional mention is made of medicine men showing someone how to connect with stars and constellations, no details of how to do that are given. In a personal communication, the author told me that about a third of the elders he had talked to have passed on, making the oral history found in this book that much more valuable.

Only 127 pages, the ten chapter book includes one chapter on the stars and the sweatlodge. The section on further readings is a `best of the best' of works about the Crow people only; it's not a comprehensive `Native American astronomy list'. The foreword more than adequately provides that list.

If you want a book on indigenous peoples and their philosophies and practices regarding the stars, that emphasizes practice rather than academic documentation and sometimes speculation, this is one I would suggest.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great info compiled in an easy-to-read book, July 30, 2009

By 

Cindy (Cypress, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Stars We Know: Crow Indian Astronomy and Lifeways (Paperback)

I had bought this for a class and was very pleased with the info. But what pleased me even more was the fact that it is not a huge book. Knowing you do not have to read such a huge book for a class makes it that much more enjoyable to read. But overall, found the content very interesting and was extremely happy with being assigned this book to read.