Published on : Wednesday, July 2, 2014
New Zealand is in celebration mode with the arrival of Matariki, a significant time in the New Zealand cultural calendar marking the beginning of Māori New Year.
Each year a cluster of stars – known to astronomers as Pleiades or the Seven Sisters – rises in New Zealand skies. Believed to have formed more than 100 million years ago the cluster has continued to play a pivotal role in modern and ancient mythology.
The stars of Matariki
The beginning of Matarki takes place in mid-winter in late May or June, rising just before dawn throughout winter and early spring.
For Māori, the arrival of Matariki signals an ending and a beginning. It gives people the chance to connect with their whanau (family) to reminisce and reflect on the year that has passed and rejoice and rejuvenate for the new year that lies ahead.
Like many cultures, food plays an integral role in rituals and life of Māori. Traditionally, Māori believed the earth was the giver of life. From the earth came food and so Matariki was a time of ceremonial offering to Māori land gods Rongo and Uenuku in the hope of a bountiful harvest in the year to come.
With Matariki arriving in winter the annual harvest and stockpiling for the harsh months ahead became a priority. Once the harvesting was complete it was time to celebrate with kai (food) often cooked in a hangi in the ground and shared with whanau and friends.
Matariki has continued to play an important role in the life of modern day Māori and New Zealanders. This astronomical event brings forth a selection of festivals that take place around the county.
Each year Matariki explores a central theme, and in 2014 the theme is ‘kaitiakitanga’ or guardianship.
Traditional stories are told
Auckland enjoyed an unforgettable experience watching as Matariki revealed itself at dawn, rising above the peak of volcanic Rangitoto Island in the Hauraki Gulf.
The event held on Auckland’s waterfront signalled the beginning of Auckland’s annual Matariki Festival which will run for the month of Matariki (28 June – 28 July).
Festival highlights will include a celebration of Māori culture though kapa haka (Māori dance), flax weaving, interactive hikoi (march or parade) and traditional and contemporary Māori cuisine.
Auckland’s Stardome Observatory is holding special Matariki planetarium shows exploring the cultural and astronomical stories and significance of the stars.
In Wellington, New Zealand’s creative capital city, Matariki is being marked through cultural and artistic events. These events embody the spirit of Matariki, merging the past with the present through art.
‘Whiti Te Rā! The story of Ngāti Toa Rangatira’ exhibition is showing at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.
The exhibition gives visitors the chance to explore the history of Wellington’s local iwi (tribe) Ngāti Toa Rangatira through art, photography and ancient Māori artefacts.
Wellington will also be lit up with the works of New Zealand artist Johnson Witehira and his Light Box exhibition ‘The Land of Tara’. This electric selection of work showcases
Wellington-specific early Māori navigators through a selection of graphically designed light boxes on public display around Wellington’s Courtenay Place.
Te Papa
Dunedin in the South Island of New Zealand is celebrating Matariki with a selection of events, film, art workshops and environmental events. One of the highlights of Dunedin’s Matariki event schedule is ‘Mana Wahine’ – an all-female work by Auckland based Okareka Dance Company.
The work follows the true story of Te Aokapurangi, a young Māori maiden from Rotorua’s Mokoia Island who was captured by a rival tribe only to return years later, saving her people from death.
This through-provoking show is touring New Zealand and provides a modern twist on an ancient and sacred tale.
Source:- Tourism New Zealand
Tags: tourism new zealand, Tourism News
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