Matariki

Matariki - Maori New Year

Walt: explain the Maori contributions to time.

Intro

Matariki is a time for remembering the dead and celebrating a new life. All around the north of New Zealand, people are celebrating Matariki. At the beginning of June, the seven bright stars rise in the eastern sky. A few weeks later, the new moon will appear in the north.

Beliefs

Matariki is the maori name for the cluster of stars. It rises just once a year in the late May or early June. Matariki means the “eyes of God” or “little eyes”. According to myth, when Ranginui, the sky father and Papatuanuku, the earth mother got separated by their children, the God of winds became so angry that he tore out his eyes and threw them into the heavens.

Traditional custom

People gathered during Matariki to survive the winter months, to remember the past and plan a New Year. Traditions and teachings were passed from generation to the next. Matariki was a time to prepare the land of spring to plant vegetables. The sharing of kai was very important and showed respect to the visitors.