How is Matariki celebrated around the world?
Many of these traditional celebrations are still practiced today, however there are many others ways that Matariki is celebrated also. Most celebrations focus around music, song, dance, food and family, and celebrations can last up to 3 days.
How did Māori use Matariki?
Twinkling in the winter sky just before dawn, Matariki (the Pleiades) signals the Māori New Year. For Māori, the appearance of Matariki heralds a time of remembrance, joy and peace. It is a time for communities to come together and celebrate.
Is Matariki a traditionally celebrated?
Matariki is traditionally a time to get together to share kai harvested from past seasons. Cook a mid-winter feast for friends and whānau using traditional Māori vegetables such as kumara, kamo kamo, taro, puha and uwhi.
Why Matariki should be a public holiday?
Mātauranga Maori is at the heart of the Matariki public holiday, and it will be a time for: Remembrance – Honouring those we have lost since the last rising of Matariki. Celebrating the present – Gathering together to give thanks for what we have. Looking to the future – Looking forward to the promise of a new year.
Why do we celebrate Matariki?
Matariki, also known as Māori New Year, is a time for celebration, growth and renewal. It’s a chance to get together and remember whānau who have died, share food, tell stories, sing and play music. Matariki is the Māori name for the group of stars also known as Pleiades or the Seven Sisters.
When do people celebrate Matariki in New Zealand?
Matariki was usually celebrated during the last quarter of the moon of the lunar month Pipiri (around June); the ceremony involved viewing the individual stars for forecasts of the year to come, mourning the deceased of the past year, and making a offering of food to replenish the stars.
What was the purpose of Matariki in ancient times?
In traditional times, Matariki was a season to celebrate and to prepare the ground for the coming year. Offerings of the produce of the land were made to the gods, including Rongo, god of cultivated food.
Which is the star that connects Matariki to the dead?
Pōhutukawa – connects Matariki to the dead and is the star that carries our dead across the year (Sterope/Asterope). Hiwaiterangi/Hiwa – is the youngest star in the cluster, the star you send your wishes to (Celaeno).
How many daughters does Matariki have in New Zealand?
Some people think of Matariki as a mother star with 6 daughters, and it is often referred to as the Seven Sisters. Others think that Matariki are the ‘eyes of the god’.