Matariki

 

Tomorrow (Friday) is known as Matariki and it is a public holiday. The word is Maori and the meaning of it is for the star cluster "Pleiades" which signifies the Maori New Year. The name Matariki is associated with the eyes of the God Tawhirimatea and it is a time of reflection, remembrance and celebration.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday.

Matariki

 

Tonight in New Zealand it is a public holiday known as Matariki which means that it's the Maori new year. Matariki literally is the name for the cluster of stars known as the Pleiades and usually most people across the country can see them except it looks like we have a cloudy night ahead of us.

So instead of taking photos of the night sky we will be indoors no doubt with the fire on.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday and Little Things Thursday.

Te Moana Glow Show

Purely my accident my daughter and I found this in our town set up in our park.  They were only there apparently for one day and the Glow Show Company, as they are called are a magical glow in the dark giant scale puppet show for 2-10 year olds - since we were both adults we just had a look around.

"Tuia Matauranga" from what I work out is something to do with knowledge in the Maori language and the whole show focuses on "Takutai Moana" or coastal sea and "Te moana nui a Kiwa" or the Pacific Ocean with it being all about our "kai moana" or seafood. 

Inside the trailer there were diagrams, illustrations and boards set up. Because we were so interested we were given a colouring book and pencils which we were pass onto my brother's children. 

So as it's rich in Te Reo Maori langage, it's an upbeat show with catchy music and has a question and answer session afterwards. 

The show runs for about 45 minutes, the trailer has been designed for touring purposes and there are 40 puppets in all.

 The production was created by Sarah Burren who collaborated with Midge Perez. Because they recognized the significance of Matariki (meaning a celebration, spending time with family as well as agriculture and restarting the Maori calender) to many Kiwis they also collaborated with a Kaumatua (a Maori elder) Dr Haare Williams. 

Linking up with Mural Monday.