Matariki: Maori New Year Celebration

Matariki: Maori New Year

What is Matariki?

• Matariki is the Maori New Year, celebrated by the indigenous people of New Zealand
• It marks the beginning of the Maori calendar year
• Named after the Matariki star cluster, also known as the Pleiades or Subaru in Japanese culture

Significance

• Celebrates the rise of the Matariki star cluster, which appears in the eastern sky in late May or early June
• Marks the end of the harvesting season and the beginning of the new year
• A time for reflection, renewal, and new beginnings
• Honors the dead and acknowledges the ancestors

Traditions and Customs

• Whanau (family) gatherings and reunions
• Traditional foods, such as kumara (sweet potato) and fish
• Storytelling, singing, and performances
• Games and activities, such as weaving and carving
• Paying respects to the dead and ancestors through rituals and ceremonies

Modern Celebrations

• Matariki is now recognized as a public holiday in some parts of New Zealand
• Celebrations often take place over several days, featuring cultural events, exhibitions, and festivals
• Many organizations and institutions, such as museums and libraries, participate in Matariki celebrations
• A time for Maori people to reconnect with their culture and heritage

Matariki: Maori New Year

• Matariki is the celebration of the Maori New Year, marking the beginning of the Maori calendar year.
• The celebration is named after the Matariki star cluster, also known as the Pleiades or Subaru in Japanese culture.

Significance

• Matariki marks the rise of the Matariki star cluster, which appears in the eastern sky in late May or early June.
• The celebration marks the end of the harvesting season and the beginning of the new year.
• It is a time for reflection, renewal, and new beginnings.
• Matariki honors the dead and acknowledges the ancestors.

Traditions and Customs

• Whanau (family) gatherings and reunions are an essential part of Matariki celebrations.
• Traditional foods, such as kumara (sweet potato) and fish, are shared during the celebrations.
• Storytelling, singing, and performances are important cultural practices during Matariki.
• Games and activities, such as weaving and carving, are also part of the celebrations.
• Paying respects to the dead and ancestors through rituals and ceremonies is a significant custom.

Modern Celebrations

• Matariki is recognized as a public holiday in some parts of New Zealand.
• Celebrations often take place over several days, featuring cultural events, exhibitions, and festivals.
• Many organizations and institutions, such as museums and libraries, participate in Matariki celebrations.
• Matariki is a time for Maori people to reconnect with their culture and heritage.

Discover the significance and traditions of Matariki, the Maori New Year celebration in New Zealand, marking the beginning of the Maori calendar year.