15 Questions
Which star cluster appears in the sky just before dawn in mid-winter?
Matariki
What is another name for Matariki?
Pleiades
When is the Māori New Year celebrated?
During winter solstice
What are some common activities during the celebration of Matariki?
Lighting fires or lanterns to honour the dead
What is the significance of Matariki to Māori people?
It is a time for remembrance, celebration, and looking to the future
Which of the following is NOT a meaning of the Māori name for Matariki, 'Ngā Mata o te Ariki Tāwhirimātea'?
The Stars of the Sky Father Tāwhirimātea
How many stars are believed to be in the Matariki cluster?
Nine
What are the stars in Matariki named after?
Food, water, and the sky
Which cultures celebrate Matariki?
Māori, Polynesian, and European
What were some traditional activities during Matariki?
Storing food for the winter, weaving new clothing and baskets, listening to the stories of ancestors, and learning about the natural world
Which star represents the connection to loved ones who have passed away?
Pōhutukawa
Which star determines the bounty of foods such as kūmara?
Tipuānuku
Which star is linked to birds and other elevated foods such as fruits and berries from trees?
Tipuārangi
Which star is associated with all freshwater bodies and the food sources sustained by those waters?
Waitī
If Waitī is dim when she rises, what does it mean?
The food from freshwater sources will be scarce.
Study Notes
Matariki Star Cluster
- Appears in the sky just before dawn in mid-winter
- Also known as Ngā Mata o te Ariki Tāwhirimātea
Māori New Year Celebration
- Celebrated during Matariki
- Common activities include:
- Ceremonies to honor the dead
- Feasting and sharing food
- Singing and dance performances
- Art and craft exhibitions
- Storytelling and sharing of history
Significance of Matariki
- Marks the Māori New Year
- Signifies the beginning of a new cycle of life and growth
- Represents the connection to loved ones who have passed away, and the unity of family and whānau
Matariki Cluster
- Believed to contain around 7-10 stars
- Stars are named after the children of the sky god, Tāwhirimātea
- Includes the following stars:
- Matariki (leader of the whānau)
- Tupuārangi (first light of dawn)
- Waipunarangi (water of the sky)
- Waitī (connection to loved ones who have passed away)
- Ururangi (wind)
- Tupuānuku (food and abundance)
- Pōhutukawa ( anchor of the whānau)
Cultural Significance
- Celebrated by Māori people in New Zealand
- Also celebrated by other cultures in the Pacific, including Hawaiian, Tahitian, and Cook Island cultures
Traditional Activities
- Ceremonies to honor the dead
- Feasting and sharing food
- Singing and dance performances
- Art and craft exhibitions
- Storytelling and sharing of history
Star Meanings
- Waitī represents the connection to loved ones who have passed away
- Tupuānuku determines the bounty of foods such as kūmara
- Ururangi is linked to birds and other elevated foods such as fruits and berries from trees
- Waipunarangi is associated with all freshwater bodies and the food sources sustained by those waters
- If Waitī is dim when she rises, it is believed to signify a poor harvest or scarcity of food
Test your knowledge about Matariki, the important Māori star cluster also known as the Pleiades. Discover the significance of Matariki in Māori culture and learn about the traditions and celebrations associated with the Māori New Year.
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