The Highland Institute is set to launch an exhibition and event series titled “Look Up!” on September 21, 2024. This series aims to explore and celebrate the diverse knowledge surrounding the world above us, including birds, butterflies, canopies, clouds, the sky, and stars.
The inspiration for “Look Up!” comes from cultural astrology studies in Australia and North America, which emphasize the universal nature of stargazing. The Highland Institute sought to apply these findings to Northeast India and discovered a significant gap in knowledge among local youth.
A survey conducted with students at Kohima College revealed that over 83% of respondents could not name a constellation in their indigenous language. It is said that around 100 years ago, Angami elders told a Pleiades story about seven men who went out to catch bamboo rats but were ambushed and killed by members of a rival village, and their spirits were turned into stars. Most students expressed a desire to learn more about traditional stories and beliefs related to the stars.
This lack of knowledge highlighted the need for public outreach, prompting the Highland Institute to organize the “Look Up!” series. Local artist Santosh Yen designed the poster above.
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