 Matariki
- a celebration with Kerry-Ann
Matariki is the Maori New Year (Tau Hou)
- due to be celebrated in New Zealand 05 June - 05 July 2008
This time span reflects that Matariki is celebrated
by different tribes at different times. For some, it is when the group
of stars known as Matariki or the Pleiades is first seen in the pre-dawn
sky, late in May or June. For others it is the full moon after it
rises that is celebrated and still others centre their celebrations
on the dawn of the next new moon. Traditionally, depending on the
visibility of Matariki, the coming season's crop was thought to be
determined - the brighter the stars, the warmer the season and the
better the crop. Matariki was also a time for family to gather and
reflect on past and future, to remember whakapapa and the legacy they
left behind.
Personal reflection and practice
Matariki draws and intrigues me as an appropriate
mid-winter celebration - the rising of Matariki our signal that
the Celtic winter solstice is close by. It is also our time where
we can prepare for spring and growth as the Northern hemisphere
does during their New Year in January. It signals a time of gathering
together to talk and eat, a personal time to draw into self-reflection
as the days shorten.
Community involvement
At the level of community follow some of the information
links below and find out what is happening in your local area -
perhaps get up before dawn and witness Matariki for yourself. Other
ideas include developing a recycle plan for your home or local area,
plant native trees and shrubs or draw out a plan for a spring garden
and start to gather the seed and seedlings. Perhaps learn the plants
which you can eat and which help to heal and pass this knowledge
on.
And for fun you could make and go fly a kite
on the New Year!
Personal involvement
At a personal level, Matariki is a time to reflect
on your own whakapapa, to spend time with family, record oral histories,
perhaps create something to remember those who have recently passed
on. As you look to Matariki look to your future, start something
new, create an image for the year ahead.
Matariki is a time of giving - giving thanks for
the bounty we experience, giving to those who are in need and giving
the gift of something of ourselves to others.
I couldn't bring myself to do my usual New Year
plan in January this year. As a New Zealander I strongly wanted
to honour Matariki this year, dream my winter dreams, take time
to prepare, to learn, to share and then 'spring' into my year from
a reflective base. I plan to do this through the cycle of Matariki.
A Matariki Calendar and other Matariki resources
are available from the Te Papa store.
Other links on Matariki:
Registered Marriage & Civil Union Celebrant
Phone (09) 816 8800
E-mail
Kerry-Ann
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