Matariki Maramataka/Calendar 2005–2006

Matariki Maramataka/Calendar 2005–2006
From the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Te Papa's popular Matariki calendar is back.

The calendar begins in Pipiri/June 2005 and runs to the end of the year in Haratua/May 2006.

Packed full of traditional proverbs, information on the phases of the moon and korero on the traditional Mäori calendar, this is an excellent way to celebrate Matariki and a great way to learn about the maramataka all year round.

More than that, the calendar pays respect to our ancestors, honours their knowledge, and is our koha back to them.

In times gone by, each tribe had their own body of knowledge based on their understanding of Papatüänuku or Mother Earth, as well as their observation of the movements of the stars and the phases of the moon. When to plant and harvest, when to fish and to gather foods, when to weave or to hold wänanga – all these things were based on the natural cycles of Papatüänuku.

Matariki is the name of the constellation Pleiades, which appears in the Southern skies each year in June. In the traditional Mäori calendar, this marked the beginning of the New Year.

This colourful, hanging wall calendar will be available from all good bookshops from Haratua/May 1st, 2005.

ENDS

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