Information Report: Matariki 16 June 2017
Matariki means “little eyes” or “eyes of god” is the traditional Maori name for the star cluster known as the Pleiades. A pleiades is seven daughters or sisters that are turned into a group of stars. Matariki also celebrates the Maori New Year or a New Start.
Matariki is celebrated in a lot of different ways, depending of what tribe you’re from. It is also celebrated at different times. Some tribes will celebrate Matariki in May/June and others would celebrate it on an first moon or full moon following the rise of Matariki, This year it is due to begin on the 25th of June. Many people celebrate Matariki by lighting up fireworks and putting on light shows. They also put on lots of different activities people can do while they’re celebrating it. People also do performances throughout the night so people can keep entertained.
In the 21st century the new moon symbolized the following rise of Matariki. It signaled that Matariki would start to begin. Stars would also become brighter and moons would change to half moons, full moons, and quarter moons quicker than usual. All these things would signal the beginning of Maori New Year.
In the end Matariki is a fun event. People can go to watch and learn new things. Although it is a Maori celebration, people of other cultures and religions can take part in the celebration as well.
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