SIASAT

Celestial Knowledge as Lived STEM: African Women’s Ethno astronomy, Social Roles, and Anticipatory Practices

Belay Sitotaw Goshu — 2026-06-05

Ethno‑astronomy has often been treated as either cultural cosmology or proto‑science, yet fieldwork across African societies reveals a more integrated reality, particularly for women. This review moves beyond descriptive accounts of celestial observation to argue that African women’s ethno‑astronomy constitutes a form of lived STEM: a knowledge system that is empirically grounded, technologically expressive, and socially anticipatory. Drawing on ethnographic cases from Eastern, Southern, Western, and Central Africa—including Borana lunar‑stellar calendars, Batswana moon‑based reproductive pedagogy, Chopi and Muyanga body‑star symbolism, Igbo lunar‑menstrual tracking, and contemporary girls’ satellite programs in Ghana—this paper demonstrates how women use celestial cycles to anticipate agricultural seasons, reproductive health events, and community responsibilities. These practices are not merely cultural add‑ons but active, methodical engagements with mathematics (cycle tracking, ethnomathematics), astronomy (heliacal risings, alignments), engineering (body technologies, built alignments), and even modern space science. The paper further argues that recognising women’s sky knowledge as STEM has practical implications: it validates indigenous epistemologies, provides culturally responsive pathways for female STEM participation, and challenges the marginalisation of African expertise in global science education. By centring African women’s roles as knowledge keepers and anticipatory agents, this review calls for a decolonised, gender‑inclusive framework for ethno‑astronomy one that treats celestial knowledge as a living, actionable STEM practice.

Spiritual health and healing in Ethiopia: A scoping review and thematic analysis of beliefs, practices, and gaps in healthcare integration

Belay Sitotaw Goshu — 2026-06-05

Spirituality is central to health and healing in Ethiopia, yet no comprehensive synthesis of the literature exists. This scoping review maps the evidence on spiritual health, beliefs, practices, and healthcare integration gaps in Ethiopia. To systematically identify, characterize, and thematically analyze empirical studies on spiritual health and spirituality in Ethiopia, and to identify evidence gaps for policy and research. Following JBI methodology and PRISMA‑ScR guidelines, we searched PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science, PsycINFO, Google Scholar, and thesis repositories from inception to December 2025. Primary studies in English addressing any aspect of spiritual health in Ethiopia were included. Data extraction and thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, six‑phase) were performed independently by two reviewers. Thirty‑one studies (1968–2026) were included. The literature is predominantly qualitative (55%) and focused on mental health (74%). Ethiopian Orthodox Christian contexts dominate (71%); Muslim (33% of population) and indigenous spiritual traditions are severely under‑represented. Thematic analysis yielded five themes: (1) spiritual causal frameworks for illness (spirit possession, divine punishment, ancestral spirits); (2) spiritual healers as primary mental health providers; (3) holy water (tsebel) as a central healing modality; (4) spirituality as a coping resource; and (5) profound gaps in healthcare integration—moderate nursing spiritual care competence (mean 3.45/5), only 21.5% of nurses trained in spiritual care, and no national collaboration policies. Ethiopia’s formal healthcare system operates parallel to, not in partnership with, the spiritual healing systems used by the majority. The evidence base is narrow, fragmented, and lacks longitudinal or interventional studies. Prioritize research on Muslim and indigenous spiritual traditions, pastoralist regions, and faith‑integrated interventions. Develop national guidelines for respectful collaboration, mandate spiritual care training in nursing curricula, and formally recognize holy water sites as mental health entry points.

The Paradox of the Servant King: Kenosis, Pastoral Praxis, and Christological Mystery in John MacArthur and R. C. Sproul

Ramarolahy Patricia Josette — 2026-06-12

This study examines the doctrine of kenosis through the theological perspectives of John MacArthur and R. C. Sproul by adopting a comparative, empirical, and theological approach. Derived from the Greek term κένωσις, meaning “self-emptying” or “voluntary humiliation,” kenosis finds its primary biblical foundation in Philippians 2:5–11, where Christ is portrayed as voluntarily humbling Himself by assuming human nature while remaining fully divine. The research is situated within the framework of contemporary Reformed Christology and aims to analyze the convergences, divergences, and doctrinal implications of MacArthur’s and Sproul’s interpretations. The methodology employed is qualitative, analytical, and documentary in nature. The study is based on the examination of theological writings, biblical commentaries, sermons, and lectures produced by both authors. Major theological references, including Karl Barth, Jürgen Moltmann, and classical Christological traditions, are also incorporated in order to situate the discussion within broader contemporary theological debates. The collected data were analyzed through a comparative thematic method designed to identify the principal doctrinal categories related to kenosis. The findings reveal that MacArthur and Sproul share several fundamental theological convictions the full divinity of Christ during the incarnation, the voluntary nature of kenosis, and its central role in the economy of salvation. Nevertheless, important differences emerge regarding their theological emphases. MacArthur primarily develops a pastoral and ethical interpretation of kenosis, emphasizing humility, obedience, and the imitation of Christ in Christian life. Sproul, on the other hand, places greater emphasis on the Christological and soteriological mystery of the incarnation, highlighting the dynamic relationship between humiliation and glorification. The study concludes that kenosis is a multidimensional theological concept integrating Christology, soteriology, spirituality, ecclesiology, and Christian ethics. It remains a crucial resource for contemporary theological reflection as well as for the pastoral and spiritual life of the Church.