Astronomical Aspects of “Pranotomongso” of The 19th Century Central Java

Abstract

It has been shown by Aveny (1981) that the development of indigenous astronomical systems in tropical cultures, whether the motive was religious or practical, centered toward a reference system consisting of zenith and nadir as poles and the horizon as a fundamental reference circle. Such a reference system differs remarkably to the celestial pole-equator (or ecliptic) systems employed by civilizations in temperate zones (also see Brennand, 1896; Stencel, et.al., 1976).In order to obtain more insight of the view expounded by Aveny (1981) the authors undertook a test case study of the astronomically related time-keeping practice in Java. “Pranotomongso” has been chosen as it is well documented since 1855. According to Daldjoeni (1984) the “pranotomongso” (literaly means the arrangements of seasons) functions well as a practical guide for agricultural activities for the rural peasants in Central Java.