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Matariki

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Matariki is the name for the star cluster that marks the Maori New year. It is also known as the Pleiades, or the Seven Sisters, and is part of the constellation Taurus. Matariki can be seen at the end of May, or the beginning of June

Matariki can be translated as ‘Tiny eyes’ (Mata Riki), or ‘Eyes of God’ (Mata Ariki). According to Maori myths, when Ranginui (the sky father) and Papatuanuku (the earth mother) were separated by their children, Tawhirimatea (the god of the elements and the wind) became really mad, and tore his eyes out, and threw them into the sky, creating Matariki

Matariki is celebrated with feasts, singing, dancing, and flying kites

 

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Above is the constellation Orion. In Maori, it is called Tautoru. The Maori name for Rigel (the brightest star) is puanga. Some Maori tribes thought that Tautoru marked the Maori New Year, not Matariki.

 


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