Kumeyaay - Science of Astronomy
By : Mike Connolly
Campo Tribe
Astronomy was an important tool to time when plants could be harvested or when land burns could take place. The calendar was probably used to determine when the Sh’mulq (or clan) should move to winter or camp.
Months of the Kumeyaay Calendar
Halakwol - September (Kumeyaay New Year)
Halanyimcep - October
Halatai - November
Halapisu - December
Halamrtinya - January
Halanitca - February
Halakwol - March
Halanyimcep - April
Halatai - May
Halapisu - June
Halamrtinya - July
Halanitca - August
The names of the months repeat after six months. This is similar to the way we repeat hours on our clocks with twelve hours repeated after noon. The months are not exactly the same as the calendar most of us use today, months would follow the phases of the moon, with adjustments made by the appearance of certain constellations.
Some of the constellation names were:
· The Three Mountain Sheep
· The Hand and the Buzzard
· The Milky Way was called Hatotkeur
The solstices were known as Hilyatai. A solar eclipse was inya wesow (nibbles the sun). The lunar eclipse was hilya wesow (nibbles the moon).
Ceremonies were held for eclipses. The Kwaipai would sing the song of the people (t’cayow mitipai) while young and old shouted. Afterward, they could bathe in cold water.