Matariki

Introductory Activity for Oaks: Draw a mind map showing what you already know about Matariki (do this in one colour). Add your new learning to your mind map at the end of the unit in a different colour.  You could do this individually/pairs/class.                        

Stars (When? What? Where?) Other interesting information Brainstorm - Matariki Stars (When? What? Where?) Celebration (Why? How?) Matariki Legends Other interesting information

Matariki Matariki is the Māori name for the small cluster of stars in the Taurus constellation. This star cluster is internationally recognized as it can be viewed from anywhere in the world. Other countries know it by different names: Pleiades, Subaru or the Seven Sisters. It is a key navigation beacon for ocean voyagers as well as an important signal for seasonal celebration in many countries. In aotearoa it heralds the Māori New Year, 'Te Tau Hou Māori '.

In Aotearoa Matariki is too close to the sun for the naked eye to see for about 2 months. It comes back into view low on the north-eastern horizon (around the same spot as the rising sun) appearing in the tail of the Milky Way in the last days of May or in early June. The best time to spot Matariki is around half an hour before dawn. This year Matariki rose on the 6th June.

Use the interactive below to see where Matariki rises each year. http://www.wicked.org.nz/Interactives/Maori-themed-interactives-in-English/Matariki When you answer the questions correctly, click on the Haere sign in the corner of the page.

In the past it was thought that if the stars were clear as Matariki rose, it was a sign that the year ahead would be warm and therefore productive for crops. If the stars were hazy and closely bunched together, then a cold year would be in store.

Various Māori tribes celebrated Matariki at slightly different times Various Māori tribes celebrated Matariki at slightly different times. Some held festivities when Matariki was first seen in the dawn sky; others celebrated after the full moon rose or at the beginning of the next new moon. In Tamaki Makaurau we celebrate for a full month from the time Matariki rises. http://www.matarikifestival.org.nz/ (the official site for events Auckland wide.)

Matariki celebrations were popular before the arrival of the Europeans in New Zealand and they continued into the 1900s.  From 1940 they gradually dwindled, but since the 1980’s Matariki celebrations have been revived and have become a special time of the year to many New Zealanders.

Activity: (Oaks) Research NZ public holidays (date and reason) Use this information to inform people and create a survey to see whether people think Matariki should be a public holiday. Include reasons why/why not? report on your findings using an e-learning tool.

Why celebrate Matariki? Traditionally Matariki happened at the end of harvesting, so was a time for connecting with, and giving thanks to the Papatuanuku, Tangaroa and Ranginui for the crops and food provided. It was a time to acknowledge the year gone by and a time to turn to the future; farewelling those that had passed and welcoming the new generation to the world. Also a time of planning for the year ahead.

Harvesting: Matariki happened at winter solstice. All the work of harvesting was complete. Kumara and other root foods were harvested and stored; native berries and pikopiko (fern fronds) were gathered; fish were migrating so catches were good; and other foods such as eel (tuna) and birds had been preserved. This variety of foods ensured an abundant supply for feasting.

Activity: Cook some Maori Fried Bread This is a traditional Maori recipe that you never get sick of! Goes great with any dish, try with butter and golden syrup or jam, and a cup of tea… delicious! Ingredients • 3 1/2 c self raising flour • 1/2 tsp salt • cold water to mix (about one cup) • good quality oil for frying or butter How to make it • In a large bowl measure the flour, then add salt...gradually add enough cold water to make a soft dough, mix thru with a wooden spoon, but try not to over mix, as this can make them stiff and flat. • Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and push or roll out to 1 1/2 cm thickness. Thinner cooks faster. • Cut into the desired size, then place each piece into the preheated hot oil and fry till golden on both sides and twice the size...

How Matariki was celebrated: Remembering: Matariki was a time for the community to come together to exchange stories, farewell those departed, learn about ancestors (whakapapa) who have passed from this world to the next, and hand down knowledge and practices to ensure the Maori culture was preserved. In times of old, the sighting of Matariki was greeted with expressions of grief for those who had died since its last appearance. Some said the stars housed the souls of those departed.

Read: Matariki by Melanie Drewery. A picture book of a family’s celebration in ROPS Library, Junior fiction. Activity: downloadable follow up activity available at: http://greengrubsgardenclub.blogspot.co.nz/search/label/Matariki

A personal story by Rangihuna Piri (aged 70) remembered how as a child he was taken by his grandparents to watch for Matariki in mid-winter at Kaūpokonui, South Taranaki: “The old people might wait up several nights before the stars rose. They would make a small hāngī. When they saw the stars, they would weep and tell Matariki the names of those who had gone since the stars set, and then the oven would be uncovered so the scent of the food would rise and strengthen the stars, for they were weak and cold.”

Festivities Feasting with whanau and friends was an important part of Matariki and with all the crops stored there was plenty of food available. Women rejoiced, sang and danced to celebrate Matariki. Activity: Learn the waiata below and record yourself using an e-tool to upload to your wiki

Ngâ Tamariki O Matariki Waiti Waita Waipunarangi Tupuanuku Tupuarangi Ururangi e Koinei ngâ tamariki o Matariki Ngâ whetû e pîataata i te rangi e Kaitito waiata: Erana Hemmingsen From Te Papa Website

Waiti Waita Waipunarangi Tupuanuku Tupuarangi Ururangi e These are the children of Matariki The bright stars that shine in the sky Kaitito waiata: Erana Hemmingsen From Te Papa Website

Kite flying: Traditionally kites (pākau) were made, decorated and flown. They were seen as connectors between heaven and earth.  

Weaving was used for many objects using harakeke. Activity: Collect harakeke (don’t remove the baby or parent leaves from the bush) and make one of these items: How to fold a Matariki (ninja) star perfect for decorating a kite https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktLR-WjB_C8 Flax flower, weaving skills needed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALVsIX_1BeQ  Flax rose, folded: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0-56s2_BNw

Activity: Try these string games: string games were learnt, and often used to explain various happenings in the sky. Activity: Try these string games: http://health.tki.org.nz/Key-collections/Exploring-te-ao-kori/Learning-experiences/String-games/Two-of-diamonds   Matariki was a fun, playful month of celebration