#  Cultural Astronomy Terminology Guide 

 



##  Cultural Terminology

###  Terms that are culturally appropriate/neutral/non-Eurocentric

 The following terms listed below were compiled and investigated to intentionally and respectfully center the research conducted under EONS not only on historically excluded cosmologies, but on the actual groups of people, their cultural traditions and histories, and both their ancestral and present relationships to the stars.

- **Abya Yala**
    - A term derived from the Guna language of the Kuna people indigenous to Panama and Colombia. Translating to “land of fertile blood”, Abya Yala is used to refer to the landmasses generally known as the Americas/America; although exclusively originating within the indigenous Kuna people of Panama and Colombia, Abya Yala is also used by several indigenous peoples in North and South America.
- **BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color)**
    - A term used to highlight both the common experiences and prejudices of people of color and the varying differences in the levels of oppression and privilege some of these groups may be affected by society. However, this term is sometimes not accepted by some people of color due to prejudices held by some groups for another, i.e. anti-blackness, anti-Asian racism.

###  Terms that are historically rooted in colonialism/white supremacy/Eurocentrism

 The following terms listed, although extensively used and accepted by academia and the general public, have historically been connected to the transformative and severe impact of European colonialism and white supremacy.

- **Pre-Columbian**
    - Refers to a period, civilization, group, or event that predates the colonization of the American continent, specifically before Christopher Columbus’ voyage in 1492. However, due to the history and meaning of this term that is rooted in colonialism and Eurocentrism, Pre-Columbian will be sparingly used in the research conducted under EONS, unless it is contextually necessary when citing/analyzing primary or secondary sources.
- **Mesoamerica/n**
    - Refers to the historical geographic area of southern North America and Central America, particularly concerning the indigenous cultures and civilizations that existed before Spanish colonization. Like pre-Columbian, the term Mesoamerica/n is rooted in a history of Eurocentrism. It is a Greek word for “middle America’ and was coined by German ethnologist Paul Kirchhoff in 1943.

##  Historiographical Terminology

 Relevant terms that are frequently used in the humanities (specifically history). The following terms listed below were compiled and defined to contextualize the research on the EONS website. Most of the terms listed are not traditionally used in scientific research, but by incorporating these terms that are commonly used in the humanities into our research discourse, we can better contextualize the historical and cultural facets of astronomy.

- Neocolonialism
- Heritage
- Ontology
- Decolonize
- Indigenous
- Primary sources
- Secondary sources
- Western
- Hegemonic/hegemony
- Eurocentricity
- White Supremacy
- Historically excluded



 

######  ![Illustration by Nadieh Bremer showing glowing stars against a dark blue background. The stars are connected with thin lines representing asterism boundaries.](/sites/g/files/omnuum1806/files/wolbachlibrary/files/figures_in_the_stars_detail_5.png)

 

  
[Figures in the Sky](https://figuresinthesky.visualcinnamon.com/) detail, Nadieh Bremer