10 Interesting Matariki Facts

Matariki Facts give you the detail facts about an important celebration of the people in New Zealand. The people living in New Zealand consider the event very significant because it marks in harvest calendar. During the autumn, Matariki will vanish.  The disappearance is a signal for them to preserve the crops. Let’s find out more facts about Matariki below:

Matariki Facts 1: celebration

The Matariki celebration is very vital to the local people in New Zealand because they want to respect and honor the earth which gives them life.

Matariki Facts 2: how to celebrate Matariki

Do you know the way people celebrate Matariki? The members of the family will gather and reflect on their past time. The festival is very charming because it is filled with food, dance, song, music and family gathering for three days.

Matariki Dance

Matariki Facts 3: events and activities

During the Matariki celebration, you can find out many types of interesting activities. You can enjoy family days, dawn ceremonies, Whakapapa (Genealogy) Workshops, concerts, art exhibition, cultural performance, the sharing myth and elegist, Hangi and Feast, tree planting in conservation area, cooking demonstration and astronomy workshop.

Matariki Facts 4: meaning of Matariki

Matariki can be translated into English language in two ways.  If it comes from the word, Mata riki, the meaning is tiny eyes. If you use the word mat ariki, it means eyes of god.

Matariki Facts

Matariki Facts 5: the tiny stars

Matariki is celebrated at the final days of May every year. The people will look for a cluster of tiny stars or constellation called Pleiades on the north east horizon. This Pleiades constellation is called Matariki by the local people in New Zealand.

Matariki Facts 6: ceremony

The common ceremony that the Matariki people do is to serve the land gods named Rongo and Uenuku. The main purpose of the ceremony is to hope that the gods will give great harvest next year.

Matariki Kites Festival

Matariki Facts 7: the middle of winter time

Matariki usually occurs in the middle of winter. Therefore, people have harvested all crops.  The winter season actually is also a sign for the local people to preserve the food stock during the winter.

Matariki Facts 8: the end of harvest

Matariki is celebrated at the end of harvest because people have plenty of time. They can have feast and share with others.

Matariki Kites

Matariki Facts 9: the modern day of Matariki

Even though Matariki is a product of a traditional value, it is very much alive in the modern day Atoearoa.

Matariki Facts 10: playing kites

One of the important traditions during Matariki festival is playing kites. You can see various kinds of kites flying on the ski on the first day of New Year. Kites are considered as the connector of earth and heaven. Learn more kite facts here.

Matariki Stars

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