Matariki

Every year at the beginning of June seven stars appear in the Eastern sky.  The new moon at this time means the Maori New Year has arrived.  We call this Matariki. 

While people waited for the celebration to start someone jumped out from the bushes and poked his tongue out in a pukana challenge and stared at them.  Then his friends joined him with weapons in their hands.  The weapons were taiaha, tomahawk and a musket.  They were wearing maro and their skin was smeared with orange clay.  One of the warriors welcomed them with a powhiri. 

On that day they planted trees and flew kites.  After speeches and waiata the warrior turned North and blew a horn that echoed out over the water.  Then some children did Kapa Haka and the celebrations began.  Some people got their faces painted and they played tug of war.

Pere showed people his carving skills after he dew a design on a piece of wood.  Some people made woven baskets.

Then they ate barbequed sausages and mussel fritters.  Some people took a ride on a steamship and some went on a horse and cart.  

I love hearing about Matariki and that is Matariki.                                                                   - Laila