Matariki is the name for the Pleiades star cluster (aka Seven Sisters), that signifies the Māori New Year, June 10 (and other seasonal celebrations worldwide). Coincidentally, the name is Subaru in Japanese and it's part of the constellation Taurus, so I'm clearly connected by my only two owned vehicles in life. Now you see why we started at 6am -- gotta see the stars for this one!
The ceremony began with taonga pūoro (traditional instruments) and a procession around the Marae to bless the seven taonga (treasures) on display from collections. We then processed outside to the Pūwhara deck area where again pūoro (music: instruments & voice) introduced the karanga (call) and karakia (prayers). It was sure windy, but no rain and plenty of stars peeking through the clouds. Hearing the chants welcoming Matariki from the roof of Te Papa with a huge group of staff in the dark was pretty awesome.
I work with Tracy (#2), Kylie (#4) and Jade (#5 from the left)
Kylie is my supervisor and Tracy is the boss - clearly here!
Sufficiently frozen (well, not the Alaskan) and wind-blown (Alaskan included), we processed back inside and were served an excellent breakfast. The acting CEO/Kaihautū (Māori leader) served us personally as part of the wait staff. A curator spoke about the seven taonga and then a wild party of staff performances (mostly karaoke) was kicked off and didn't end until 9am. From the new moon, to full sunshine illuminating a singer just as he broke into his grand finale of My Way, to a misty rain moving on to a glorious day, it was a New Year celebration full of signs and Haumanu (revival). Wish you could've been there!
Our staff waiata (singing group) closed the ceremony with Te Hokinga Mai, a popular song written to welcome the taonga home in 1986 after the Te Māori exhibition at the Met. Then, it was performed by the Pakipaki elementary school children (video below) -- we did much of the same choreography this morning. Matariki festivities continue until June 27 and we'll sing tomorrow at the powhiri (welcome) ceremony for the Kaumātua Kapa Haka (elders' performance).
Enjoy and Happy New Year!
Te Hokinga Mai - by Te Taite Cooper and Father Mariu
Heather, sounds like you are have a great time and an amazing adventure. Let me know if you'd like some company from Homer. Once summer is over here I could use a break and some travel.
ReplyDeleteTerry