<--Matariki: A wānanga with Dr Rangi Matamua
“The great mounds of Matariki”
This whakataukī is about Manaakitanga (hospitality and respect), coming together and sharing the kai (food). This refers to kai which is stored and shared during Matariki.
Whakataukī are proverbs or sayings which provide insight into our social and natural world. There are many whakataukī that refer to Matariki. This is because it is such a significant time of year. Rangi shares two important Matariki whakataukī and what they mean:
Image: Hautapu, ©Living by the Stars
Kai (food) is an important part of Matariki celebrations. Kai, represented by the stars Tipuānuku, Tipuārangi, Waitī, Waitā, is cooked in a ceremonial oven called te umu kohukohu whētu (earth oven of the stars).
Rangi shares with Jamie how kai represents different elements and atua and is therefore an important part of the Matariki celebration:
The steam created from cooking this kai is called hautapu which is a sacred offering to Matariki. The ritual ends when the sun rises.
Image: Feeding the stars, ©Living by the Stars.
Jamie and Rangi talk about how hautapu–the offering of food to atua (gods), as a way of giving thanks:
Key words / Rerenga kōrero
| Hautapu | the sacred steam from the ceremonial umu |
| Umu | earth oven |
