Post by Bruce on Jun 14, 2007 22:40:04 GMT 12
This Saturday (June 16th) is the start of Matariki, the traditional maori New Year celebration. It marks the rise of the Constellation Matariki (The Pleides) above the Horizon and the period of festivities runs until the next new moon.
I have been doing some research on this celebration (my mum runs a kid's after school programme and they wanted to do something related to Matariki) and I think that it is high time that it became recognised as a dinstinictive NZ Celebration.
Traditionally it is a time to give thanks for the past year and the good things that came with it, and a time for welcoming the new year (much like western New Years celebrations) additional aspects include a focus on history and genealogy, where we have come from, and what our ancestors have acheived. It also focusses on the community, generally some special form of volunteer community or charity activity is caried out.
Kites are flown to signify the rising of Matariki. Traditional proverbs and wisdom are shared with younger generations.
Hospitality is a very important activity, sharing some of your bountiful provisions with neighbours and those who arent able to be with thier family. generally, plenty of good Kai all around.
I was thinking all this community and family orientation has a lot of merit, I'd far rather celebrate this, and my NZ identity, than some imported thing such as Halloween and Guy Fawkes. Fortunately it hasnt been taken up by a certain Red Shed yet (yay!) however without such "publicity" very few people are actually aware of it. it shouldnt be"just a Maori thing", I think it is a great time to celebrate our national identity with all its different races. This year I want to do something to celebrate it - if the weather is fine I may try and see Matariki rise, maybe take a kite to fly. Matariki rises in the North Eastern Sky at about 6am on Saturday. Aucklanders would probably get a better view than here in the Waikato, as we have hills on that horizon (I may go up one to see though...)
What do you guys reckon? is it time it had a higher profile?
I have been doing some research on this celebration (my mum runs a kid's after school programme and they wanted to do something related to Matariki) and I think that it is high time that it became recognised as a dinstinictive NZ Celebration.
Traditionally it is a time to give thanks for the past year and the good things that came with it, and a time for welcoming the new year (much like western New Years celebrations) additional aspects include a focus on history and genealogy, where we have come from, and what our ancestors have acheived. It also focusses on the community, generally some special form of volunteer community or charity activity is caried out.
Kites are flown to signify the rising of Matariki. Traditional proverbs and wisdom are shared with younger generations.
Hospitality is a very important activity, sharing some of your bountiful provisions with neighbours and those who arent able to be with thier family. generally, plenty of good Kai all around.
I was thinking all this community and family orientation has a lot of merit, I'd far rather celebrate this, and my NZ identity, than some imported thing such as Halloween and Guy Fawkes. Fortunately it hasnt been taken up by a certain Red Shed yet (yay!) however without such "publicity" very few people are actually aware of it. it shouldnt be"just a Maori thing", I think it is a great time to celebrate our national identity with all its different races. This year I want to do something to celebrate it - if the weather is fine I may try and see Matariki rise, maybe take a kite to fly. Matariki rises in the North Eastern Sky at about 6am on Saturday. Aucklanders would probably get a better view than here in the Waikato, as we have hills on that horizon (I may go up one to see though...)
What do you guys reckon? is it time it had a higher profile?
