Matariki
Last night we had a social event at Playcentre for Matariki. Matariki marks the rising of the Pleiades constellation. Traditionally, this is the time of the Maori New Year. Marking Matariki has grown in popularity immensely over the last few years.
In some ways, I am in two minds about this. On one hand, I really like that it is a home-grown festival. Something relevant to where we are in the world. An acknowledgment of things Maori. On the other, it feels a bit artificial, a bit new - "gosh, we need some home-grown festivals! Aha, let's piggyback on the traditional Maori New Year!". Obviously if you have been brought up steeped in Maori culture, you will not have this reaction. On the other hand, maybe you might feel like the Pagans did when the Christians started claiming winter solstice....
Anyway, there has been some build-up to this at Playcentre in the last few sessions. We've had readings of Matariki stories, waiata, and crafts (such as Matariki mobiles, which really caught Isabelle's imagination. Her mobile is hanging up in the lounge now).
Isabelle in particular was really looking forward to the evening. We dressed warmly. I loaded up all three into the car. Unloaded them at the takeaway shop. Bought a hamburger for me, hot dogs for Isabelle and Aidan, and chips and Coke to share. Loaded everyone back in. Down to Playcentre. Unloaded children, food and drink. By the time we sat down to eat, I was no longer feeling cold at all and was certainly ready for food. Before long, Brendon joined us fresh from work.
It was a lovely evening. The children and adults seemed to have a good time. There were waiata, poi, and stories. Isabelle twirled two poi, mouth open in concentration, totally captured by their circular paths. Aidan watched the flight of his poi, jumping with excitement. Orla snuggled up to Brendon and slept. Flax was manipulated. There was a treasure hunt in the dark outside. The children used torches to find coloured sticks that had been placed around the play area. Then it was inside for icecreams. Finally, fireworks blazed in the darkness.
I commented to someone at the time that this is probably more like Guy Fawkes is "supposed" to be. Fireworks in the dark, cool air at a time convenient to young children's bed times!
So it was a thumbs up for the Matariki celebration. To my children, it may well be that this occasion is as natural an annual event as Queen's birthday, Easter or Wellington Anniversary Day. In the meantime, I will try and remember to hold back a few fireworks from November to burn in the chill and blackness of June, as we look forward to new beginnings as the days slowly start to lengthen once again.
In some ways, I am in two minds about this. On one hand, I really like that it is a home-grown festival. Something relevant to where we are in the world. An acknowledgment of things Maori. On the other, it feels a bit artificial, a bit new - "gosh, we need some home-grown festivals! Aha, let's piggyback on the traditional Maori New Year!". Obviously if you have been brought up steeped in Maori culture, you will not have this reaction. On the other hand, maybe you might feel like the Pagans did when the Christians started claiming winter solstice....
Anyway, there has been some build-up to this at Playcentre in the last few sessions. We've had readings of Matariki stories, waiata, and crafts (such as Matariki mobiles, which really caught Isabelle's imagination. Her mobile is hanging up in the lounge now).
Isabelle in particular was really looking forward to the evening. We dressed warmly. I loaded up all three into the car. Unloaded them at the takeaway shop. Bought a hamburger for me, hot dogs for Isabelle and Aidan, and chips and Coke to share. Loaded everyone back in. Down to Playcentre. Unloaded children, food and drink. By the time we sat down to eat, I was no longer feeling cold at all and was certainly ready for food. Before long, Brendon joined us fresh from work.
It was a lovely evening. The children and adults seemed to have a good time. There were waiata, poi, and stories. Isabelle twirled two poi, mouth open in concentration, totally captured by their circular paths. Aidan watched the flight of his poi, jumping with excitement. Orla snuggled up to Brendon and slept. Flax was manipulated. There was a treasure hunt in the dark outside. The children used torches to find coloured sticks that had been placed around the play area. Then it was inside for icecreams. Finally, fireworks blazed in the darkness.
I commented to someone at the time that this is probably more like Guy Fawkes is "supposed" to be. Fireworks in the dark, cool air at a time convenient to young children's bed times!
So it was a thumbs up for the Matariki celebration. To my children, it may well be that this occasion is as natural an annual event as Queen's birthday, Easter or Wellington Anniversary Day. In the meantime, I will try and remember to hold back a few fireworks from November to burn in the chill and blackness of June, as we look forward to new beginnings as the days slowly start to lengthen once again.
Labels: Aidan, Isabelle, Orla, outings, Playcentre
posted by Mary at 8:07 pm
1 Comments:
We haven't celebrated Matariki at our Playcentre yet. I thought about it this year, but we were on the verge of closure in term 2 so had other things on our minds! We're doing better now, so I hope next year we will. Good to think about setting aside some fireworks now!
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