Thursday 2 June 2016

Matariki 2016

Kia ora koutou,

Tenei wiki kei te ako matou e pa ana ki Matariki.

Matariki is the Māori name for the star cluster known as the Pleiades. Traditionally for Māori when it appeared just before dawn in late May or early June, it signalled the start of the Māori New Year. Different tribes celebrated Matariki at different times.  For some it was when Matariki rose in May/June. For others it was celebrated at the first new moon, or full moon, following the rising of Matariki. In the 21st century it is the new moon following the rising of Matariki that signals the New Year. This year Matariki begins on the 6th of June.
I think that it is awesome to develop our knowledge of our collective heritage and identity.  

This made me wonder.........in your opinion or culture, when is New Year?  So get your curiosity and wondering brains in gear and challenge yourself to ask..... Is today really today? Does everyone around the world have the same date and time, or calendar as we use in New Zealand.

But first let's learn a little more about Matariki.  Watch the following videos to help prepare for our chat.






This clip will help you learn all the names of the Matariki stars - enjoy singing along with Room 5 from Mahora Primary School- Awesome effort Miss Boaler and Rm 5



Questions:

1.  What does Matariki mean to you and your family? Share with us how you celebrate it.

2. How are you celebrating Matariki at your School?

3. Matariki is referred to as the 'Maori New Year'.  When do other cultures/religions celebrate 'New Years'?

4. Matariki has many different names around the world.  What are some of those names and countries?

5. Why do we measure time? Try and explain why there are so many different calendars around the world?

6. Discover what year you were born in using a calendar of your choice (Jewish, Muslim, Chinese).

7. Matariki is a cluster of stars.  Do you know of any other star clusters or constellations in our southern skies?

8. In your opinion is Matariki important enough to be recognised as a National Holiday in NZ, if so why? 

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