Deeper understanding of Māori star lore through te reo
Thursday, 14 September 2017
A University of Waikato astronomer is publishing his revelations on the star cluster Matariki in te reo Māori.
In June, Dr Rangi Mātāmua claimed the Matariki star constellation, also known as Pleiades, consisted of nine stars, not seven.
Matariki marks the start of the new year on the Māori calendar.
His book Matariki: The Star of the Year marked a resurgence of interest in astronomy among Māori.
**READ MORE:
* Opinion: Rethinking and revitalising Matariki
* Matariki: Everything there is to know about it
* Why Stuff is introducing macrons for te reo Māori words
* Dave Dobbyn re-releases classic Welcome Home in te reo Māori**
The te reo Māori version, Matariki: Te Whetū Tapu o te Tau, is available online.
'I think it's important that Māori tell their own stories from their own perspectives,' Mātāmua said.
'By publishing it in the language of its origins, you can gain a deeper, more authentic appreciation for the information it contains.'
The te reo Māori rerelease is being launched as part of Thursday's Kīngitanga Day celebrations at the university and Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori - Māori Language Week.
The book covers traditional practices, ceremonies and beliefs and examines whether Matariki has a purpose in a modern context.
Mātāmua is an associate professor at the University of Waikato researching Māori astronomy and star lore, Māori culture and te reo Māori language development.