[Aztlan] astronomical thinking

[Dito Morales]

I've come across ethnographic material on many tropical groups (Brazil) for 
whom the Pleiades are very important. For the Ramkokamekra ("Canela," 
Eastern Timbira), the Pleiades (krot) are *the* most important heavenly 
bodies after the Sun and Moon. Their first appearance after sunset on the 
western horizon is a signal that the rainy season is about to begin; the 
maize planting and accompanying ceremonies are then organized. If memory 
serve me, I think this fairly uniform throughout the Ge language groups of 
easter Brazil.

Dito Morales
ditomorales at msn.com

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Edward B. Hanna

Recognizing the importance of the Pleiades to the Maya (and other 
mesoamerican peoples?), I can't help but wonder why.  Surely they are  not 
among the most distinguishable images in the sky.  Indeed,  without a 
reasonably good telescope, it takes a pretty good pair of
eyes to make them out at all.

How do you figure?