It’s signalled by the rising of the Matariki constellation often referred to as the Pleiades or Seven Sisters.
Now making a resurgence as an important link to the past not just for Maoris but all Pasifika communities, ‘Matariki’ was celebrated as a public holiday in New Zealand for the first time on Friday ahead of an event marking its return at Bankstown Arts Centre this Friday, July 2, 6-10pm, with story-telling and a free island feast on offer.
Hosted by Outloud, a CALD-focused social impact arts organisation, the event will provide a space for those who have experienced suppression to celebrate Matariki together, and share their cultural rituals and stories in solidarity.
One of the event organisers is Ngati Hine Maori woman and multi-disciplinary artist Jessica Taruna Paraha who is a member of the Pasifika Storytellers collective and creative producer at Outloud.
“We hope our celebration will raise awareness across the community,” she said.
“It’s a way of bringing Pasifika peoples together, Matariki even features in the Aboriginal dreamtime, and highlighting the importance of our connection to the earth as its guardians.”
Bookings essential for catering purposes at events.humanitix.com/matariki.
Ancient ‘Matariki’ fest returns Friday
LARGELY lost during white colonisation and the suppression of Maori stories in New Zealand, ‘Matariki’ is the celebration of the change of seasons, harvest and migration.