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The youth and old age of Dapi'chi (the Pleiades): frosts, air carnations, and warriors

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 July 2011

Cecilia Paula Gómez
Cecilia Paula Gómez*
Affiliation:
Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Buenos Aires, Marcelo T. de Alvear 2230, Buenos Aires, Argentina email: gomezcp@gmail.com
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Abstract

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Among the Western Tobas of the province of Formosa, Argentina, the asterism called Dapi'chi (the Pleiades) is highly important. Traditionally, it is related to the start of the annual cycle and it is also a very significant figure in terms of its symbolic meaning. In fact, this celestial representation offers a range of insights connected to winter frosts, a type of air carnation (Tillandsia spp.–Bromeliaceae) and also to the role of the warrior.

Keywords

Western TobasFormosaGran ChacoPleiadesair carnationsannual cyclewarriors
Type
Contributed Papers
Information
Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union , Volume 7 , Symposium S278: “Oxford IX” International Symposium on Archaeoastronomy , January 2011 , pp. 50 - 57
Copyright
Copyright © International Astronomical Union 2011

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