Notes
This book is an introduction to the star group Matariki. Known in other cultures by names including the Pleiades and the Seven sisters, Matariki featured strongly in Pre-European New Zealand. It marked the beginning of the Maori calendar and its rising before the sun in late may or early June was greeted with great festivals. It was used as guide to planting and harvesting, and was studied by tohunga as an omen which told whether the food-gathering season would be plentiful or lean. For those who wish to join the many who celebrate the rising of Matariki, there are suggestions on how to celebrate this Maori New Year, and a guide to finding Matariki in the night sky.Contents
Contents : author’s note -- acknowledgements -- introduction -- how Matariki came to be -- Matariki : a cluster of stars, where Matariki can be found -- Mahi whai - hapimana’s story -- why Matariki was important -- the Maori calendar and crop growing -- Judy's story -- Matariki and the gathering of birds and fishes -- the Maori new year : te tau hou -- tohunga tatai arorangi -- Matariki the signaller -- Matariki : its role in navigation -- Hekenukumai’s story.
