Wananga Reflection - Matariki

From the recent celebration of Matariki, we have been learning more about the story of Matariki during our wananga time. Matariki is celebrated from the 19th of June to the 11th of July. The term Matariki refers to 'tiny eyes or 'eys of God' in Maori. The children of the earth mother, Papatuanuku, and the sky father Ranginui wanted to separate them to bring light and life to the Earth, as they lived in darkness wondering what it would be like to live in the light. Eventually, Tane Mahuta, the god of the forest, laid on his back and used his feet to force them apart. Angering Tawhirimatea, the god of the winds, causing him to tore his own eyes out and threw them out into the sky. Tawhirimatea's resulted in many constellations, and among lived Matariki, the mother and her six daughters.