Imagine being out on the vast pacific ocean with nothing but horizon in every direction. You don’t have a smartphone. You don’t have a map. It’s night and there’s no moon up. Nothing but a few millimetres of wood between you and the infinite darkness below. Far more detail is visible in the sky above than on earth below. In fact, the sky is glittering with the light of thousands of stars with billions beyond blending into the glow of the milky way galaxy spanning the sky.
This would have been a reality for so many Māori and Polynesian navigators as they crossed great expanses of ocean using their knowledge of stars passed down through oral tradition. Encapsulated in stories. You see, the stars are so dependable in their movement across the sky, that great ocean voyages could be made without GPS. Familiar stars and constellations must have been a source of great comfort. And likely, you knew your destination because your ancestors did the same trip before you. Some made the return journey.
This month we celebrate Matariki, the Māori name for a star cluster that would have been a familiar sight on such journeys. It is also known by similar sounding names throughout the pacific, such as Makali’i in Hawai’i. It is a naked-eye visible collection of stars contrasted starkly against the comparatively dark sky around it. An obvious target for human attention. It has been used throughout human history as an eyesight test with various passing grades of 7, 9 or even 12 individual stars. Telescopes reveal around one thousand fainter stars surrounding the brightest.
Along with other nearby features of the night sky such as Puanga (Rigel in Orion) Matariki has special significance to Māori for reasons practical and spiritual. It is a highly recognisable feature and a handy seasonal marker. We celebrate Matariki around the time of its ‘heliacal rising’, when it becomes faintly visible in the dawn sky, before sunrise. This occurs close to the winter solstice after around two months of being invisible while setting with the sun. A good reason to link it to the beginning of a new year when it is seen again. This is usually done in conjunction with the Maramataka (Lunar Calendar) By mid-June, the sun has parted with the cluster just enough to see it for a short time before the daylight hides it again.
Traditions around Matariki survived the ocean migrations and were passed down to future generations who made this land their home. Over time, some of the traditions varied and took on more local meanings. The individual stars within Matariki might reveal which local foods should be taken from water, land or sky. But some strong central themes have remained. Matariki is a time to reflect on those who have passed in the previous year, and celebrate new beginnings. And eat delicious kai. Preferably with big groups of friends and Whanau. Happy Matariki to everyone.
