Before Clocks Existed: Ancient African Ways of Telling Time for Curious Children

To find the time these days, we look at wall clocks or check our phones. Have you ever wondered how Africans told the time in the days before watches and alarm clocks? How did they know when to plant crops, wake up, or get together for ceremonies? Let's have a little fun and examine how African communities used the sun, stars, and nature to determine the time of day.

How Were People Able to Tell the Time? 

People used what they could see and feel around them before the invention of modern clocks. Time was determined by nature, the sun's position, and even animal sounds in many African villages and kingdoms. Here’s how: 

1. Sunlight and Shadows  

Observing the sun's position in the sky was one of the most straightforward and intelligent methods. Midday was indicated if the sun was high above your head. It was evening if it was orange and low. Africans used tekhenu, or obelisks, as one of the first methods of keeping time. Around 3500 BC, the ancient Egyptians erected these tall, pointed stone structures. The obelisk created shadows on the ground as the sun moved across the sky. The Egyptians separated the day into different parts by determining the length and direction of these shadows.

Even sundials, which are flat stones with a stick (called a nodus) in the centre, were used by some African communities. The stick's shadow would shift with the sun to indicate the length of the day. This was a natural timekeeper in Africa! 

2. The Moon and Stars  

At night, people observed the moon and stars. They were aware of which stars appeared early in the evening and which ones marked the hour of midnight. Based solely on the movement of the stars, some African cultures were able to identify the seasons and months. The merkhet, or "star clock," was created by the Egyptians to monitor heavenly alignments. They could determine time by tracking the motion of particular stars in the sky with sighting tools and a plumb line. This approach was beneficial for agricultural planning and religious ceremonies.

Also, the Dogon people of Mali possessed exceptional astronomical knowledge. They combined science and religion in their timekeeping methods by studying Sirius, the brightest star, to understand seasonal cycles.

3. Water Clocks and Oil Lamps

The Egyptians developed water clocks during the reign of Amenhotep III (1417–1379 BC). These devices measured time intervals using dripping water, a brilliant idea for governance and temples. Another inventive solution later appeared in the form of oil lamp clocks. Glass reservoirs filled with oil were marked so that people could keep track of time while the oil burned steadily.

4. Animal Sounds and Everyday Activities

Time was also counted by what was happening. For instance, morning was indicated by the rooster's crow. It was evening when the goats got home. Some flowers were the silent clocks of nature, opening or closing at certain times. Nighttime activity was indicated by the appearance of stars or the moon. People remembered things based on what happened around those times, such as "when the sun touched the big tree" or "when the cattle returned," rather than the hours that passed.

Lessons for Children  

Children can learn that there are various ways to measure time, that ancient Africans developed clever ways to track days and nights, that nature can tell time, and that science and history have intriguing connections.

The Significance of It  

Modern clocks and calendars were made possible by the timekeeping techniques used in ancient Africa. Evidence that Africa's contributions endure can be seen in the Ethiopian and Coptic calendars, which still use Egypt's solar systems. Combining science, history, and cultural pride in a fun way is to teach kids about ancient African timekeeping. It shows them how intelligent and inventive Africans have always been, influencing everyday life through inventions and nature.