Matariki Information Report

 21.06.21

Matariki Dictogloss Information Report

By Zean & Aden

Matariki is the Māori name for the clusters of stars. It is also the Māori New Year of New Zealand. It is also known as the Pleiades. The name also means the “Eyes of God” or “Little Eyes”. According to Greek Mythology “When Ranginui (The Sky Father) and Papatūānuku (The Earth Mother) were divided or separated from their children the God of the Winds (Tawhirimatea) became immensely ferocious that he literally ripped his eyeballs out from his eye sockets”. He would throw them into the heavens. As you know, Matariki is a star that ascends in mid winter.

Matariki is a time to commemorate and remember the deaths of your loved ones. It’s also a time to learn about the land from a century or potentially a millennium ago. It is also a time to hear ancient stories about Matariki as well as dancing. They grew crops of kumara, potatoes, etc. They stopped the celebrations in 1940. Throughout the year (early 2000’s) they revived the celebrations. Altogether there are nine stars. The nine visible stars include Waipuna-ā-rangi, Ururangi, Matariki, Tupu-ā-rangi, Tupu-ā-nuku, Waitī, Waitā, Pohutukawa, Hiwa-i-te-rangi.

Matariki in Greek Myth.

The stars actually used to be human. While they were wandering through the woods, they were spotted by Orion (a hunter). In order to save them from Orions undesirable intentions, Zeus transformed them into stars and placed them in the skies.

Fun Fact: There are actually 500 Matariki stars but 7-9 stars are visible.