Understanding Matariki

Flashcards focused on key vocabulary and concepts from the lecture about Matariki and its significance in Maori culture.

Matariki

A group of stars significant in Maori culture, observed and celebrated, often referred to as the Pleiades in other cultures.

Matariki Hungenbu

Means 'Matariki, the gatherer of people'; refers to the social aspect of Matariki as a time for gathering and celebration.

Astronomical timekeeping system

A system used by the Maori that is based on lunar and stellar rhythms, distinguishing it from the solar calendar.

Spiritual significance of Matariki

The belief that when Matariki sets in autumn, the dead are believed to have gone to the underworld, and their names are called out when it rises again.

Environmental connection of Matariki stars

The stars in the Matariki cluster are associated with various domains of the environment, such as food, water, and cosmic spirituality.

Navigation using Matariki

Traditional seafaring ancestors used the stars in the Matariki cluster for navigation across the Pacific to Aotearoa.

Cultural practices surrounding Matariki

Matariki is celebrated as part of many cultural practices and beliefs across different societies, marking new beginnings and annual cycles.

Significance of Matariki in Maori identity

Matariki is central to Maori practice, environmental beliefs, spirituality, and cultural identity, influencing their yearly activities.

Nine stars of Matariki

The Matariki cluster traditionally includes nine stars, each connected to different aspects of the environment.

Celebration of the New Year

Matariki marks the beginning of the Maori New Year, a time for remembrance, celebration, and future planning.