*3.3.1.1. Reading of the alignment of celestial bodies using the Geda calendar*

Based on the alignment of celestial body reading, *Urgii Elaltus* claim to be able to make weather forecasts 6 months or more in advance of the timing, duration, and amount of rainfall or drought. Weather forecast based on stars' position and their alignment with the moon is considered to be the most effective method for weather forecasting. *Urgii Elaltus* reported that there are seven stars (individual or in groups) known locally as *Lemi* (believed to be the mother of all and very important for forecasting), *Busan*, *Soresa*, *Algajama*, *Arba-Gadu*, *Walla*, and *Bassa*. The different alignments of such stars in relation to the position of the moon provide data for weather forecasts. There are a maximum of seven star-moon alignments, but observing only the Lemi-moon alignment is enough for weather forecasting. Unlike the claims of [10], this study found that astrological features are used for long-term weather prediction.

Among the Borana herders, observation of star-moon alignment for weather forecast is made partly in reference to the lunar Borana calendar. The association is partial in the sense that *Urgii Elaltus* use months of the Borana calendar to choose the timing of observing star-moon alignment. The Borana calendar divides the year into 12 months. The first and the last months of the year in Borana calendar are *Amajjii and Abrassa*, respectively. For the purpose of weather forecasting, *Urgii Elaltus* divide months of the year in the Geda calendar into two groups each comprising 6 months. The first group comprises the months of *Birra*, *Ciqqa'a*, *Sadassa*, *Abrassa, Amajjii*, and *Gurandhala*. The first 3 months represent the short rainy season, while the last 3 months are the hot dry season. It is only during *Birra* that *Urgii Elaltus* calculate star-moon alignment for weather forecast. The second group of months comprises *Biouttessa*, *Chamissa*, *Buufa*, *Waxxabaji*, *Obora-Gudda*, *and Obra-Teka.* The first 3 months represent the main rainy season, while the last three are months of the cold dry season. Of the 6 months, it is only during *Biouttessa* which *Urgii Elaltus* can calculate in terms of star-moon alignment for weather forecasts.

In Borana observation of the constellation of celestial bodies takes place in the month of *Birra* (September) on the fourteenth and fifteenth moon day at 9:00 p.m. in order to predict the weather for the main rainy season (*Biouttessa*, *Chamissa*, *Buufa*). The small rainy season weather forecast is made in the month of Biouttessa (March) on the first and second day of the moon at 09:00 p.m. When asked to elaborate the rationale behind the specific date for forecasting, the *Elaltus* were unable to justify their choice.

Weather forecasting for the main and small rainy season is made through observation of starmoon alignment in the months of *Birra* (September) and Biouttessa (March), respectively. However, it is not clear why *Urgii Elaltus* use *Birra* and *Biouttessa* even the date and time to forecast the prospect of rainfall. They were asked to elaborate the rationale behind, but they were unable to justify their choice. *Urgii Elaltu* makes forecast for the small and main rainy seasons as follows.

**Figures 1** and **2** show the seven star-moon alignments as described by *Urgii Elaltus*, which they used for observation during the months of *Birra* and *Biouttessa*:


Revisiting Indigenous Biotic and Abiotic Weather Forecasting for Possible Integration... http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.69887 141

but observing only the Lemi-moon alignment is enough for weather forecasting. Unlike the claims of [10], this study found that astrological features are used for long-term weather

Among the Borana herders, observation of star-moon alignment for weather forecast is made partly in reference to the lunar Borana calendar. The association is partial in the sense that *Urgii Elaltus* use months of the Borana calendar to choose the timing of observing star-moon alignment. The Borana calendar divides the year into 12 months. The first and the last months of the year in Borana calendar are *Amajjii and Abrassa*, respectively. For the purpose of weather forecasting, *Urgii Elaltus* divide months of the year in the Geda calendar into two groups each comprising 6 months. The first group comprises the months of *Birra*, *Ciqqa'a*, *Sadassa*, *Abrassa, Amajjii*, and *Gurandhala*. The first 3 months represent the short rainy season, while the last 3 months are the hot dry season. It is only during *Birra* that *Urgii Elaltus* calculate star-moon alignment for weather forecast. The second group of months comprises *Biouttessa*, *Chamissa*, *Buufa*, *Waxxabaji*, *Obora-Gudda*, *and Obra-Teka.* The first 3 months represent the main rainy season, while the last three are months of the cold dry season. Of the 6 months, it is only during *Biouttessa* which *Urgii* 

In Borana observation of the constellation of celestial bodies takes place in the month of *Birra* (September) on the fourteenth and fifteenth moon day at 9:00 p.m. in order to predict the weather for the main rainy season (*Biouttessa*, *Chamissa*, *Buufa*). The small rainy season weather forecast is made in the month of Biouttessa (March) on the first and second day of the moon at 09:00 p.m. When asked to elaborate the rationale behind the specific date for forecast-

Weather forecasting for the main and small rainy season is made through observation of starmoon alignment in the months of *Birra* (September) and Biouttessa (March), respectively. However, it is not clear why *Urgii Elaltus* use *Birra* and *Biouttessa* even the date and time to forecast the prospect of rainfall. They were asked to elaborate the rationale behind, but they were unable to justify their choice. *Urgii Elaltu* makes forecast for the small and main rainy

**Figures 1** and **2** show the seven star-moon alignments as described by *Urgii Elaltus*, which

I. If the first alignment (moon and *Lemi*) is observed in the month of *Birra*, it signifies that 14 days have elapsed since the first appearance of the moon. This *Ayana* (year) is known locally as *Gonchera.* The alignment is interpreted as an indicator of a delay in the onset

II. The second moon-*Lemi* constellation is referred to as *Gobana* and predicts that the next main rainy season will be normal and be a time of abundance, peace, and love.

III. If the first moon-Lemi alignment, known locally as *Bita-Dura* or *Kera,* is observed in the month of *Biouttessa*, it is considered to be a sign of a coming season of drought and famine

*Elaltus* can calculate in terms of star-moon alignment for weather forecasts.

they used for observation during the months of *Birra* and *Biouttessa*:

and early cessation for the next main rainy season.

during the small rainy season.

ing, the *Elaltus* were unable to justify their choice.

seasons as follows.

prediction.

140 Indigenous People

**Figure 1.** The first three moon-star alignments. Sources: Diagram sketched based on the description of *Urgii Elaltu*.

**Figure 2.** The four moon-star alignments. Sources: Diagram sketched based on the description of *Urgii Elaltu*.

IV. On the other hand, the second moon-Lemi alignment signifies that the next season would be Beta*-Bella*, in which a timely and optimal rainfall is expected.

Whether the reported moon-star alignments actually occur in reality during the specific months, informant mentioned is not of interest to this study. Equally, the meteorological consequence of those alignments on earth is difficult to negate or confirm. However, modern science has reached a stage where the movement, position, and speed of celestial bodies in different times and ages are certainly known. It is established beyond a shadow of doubt that the alternating constellations of celestial bodies caused by their differential rotation and movement are very regular. If *Urgii Elaltus*' perception about the impact of moon-star alignment were true, then we would naturally expect to experience drought and normal year in a very regular succession, and if changes to that regularity are to happen, it would only be possible in thousands of years. Hence, the actually experienced drought seasons being very erratic than regular, and knowing that the alignment changes are very regular, indigenous experts' claim does not tally with the reality. This must account for the discrepancy between their forecasting and the actual phenomena.
