Matariki celebrates Maori New Year. This is when the new moon follows the rise of the group of stars in the sky called Matariki. This group of stars is also called The Pleiades or the Seven Sisters. To see this group of stars, go to the Ministry of Culture and Heritage website. This year, Matariki celebrations begin June 28th.
New Zealand Post have issued 6 stamps showing the popular Maori creation myth of Papatuanuku and Ranginui. Papatuanuku (Papa) the Earth Mother and Ranginui (Rangi) the Earth Father, loved each other so much that they hugged each other very close and their sons were stuck in the darkness between them. One son, Tane, pushed them apart to make the world of light. Rangi was sent to live in the sky and Papa on the earth. Six famous artists painted their idea of this myth. You can see them if you click here Matariki stamps.
To find out more about Matariki, listen to June 11 2013 and June 21 2012.
Vocabulary
- creation – the beginning of the world
- myth – story, legend