Remembering those who have passed

Pōhutukawa

Remembrance

In Te Waka o Rangi: near the prow — Pōhutukawa carries those who have gone.

Karakia

E tū Pōhutukawa Te kaikawe i ngā mate o te tau Ruiruia ngā mate ki te uma o Ranginui Anā! Kua whetūrangihia koutou

Behold Pōhutukawa Who carries the dead of the year Scatter their spirits into the cosmos You have now become stars

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Kaikōrero narration

Description

Pōhutukawa helps us remember those who have passed since the last rising of Matariki. It is at this time that people want to call out the names of loved ones who have died in the past year.

After the karakia to Pōhutukawa and the honouring of the dead, food is offered to the stars. The steam from the cooked food rises into the sky and feeds Matariki. Once this part of the ceremony has been completed, a series of karakia follow.

Back to Te Waka o Rangi Take the star quiz

Restrained surface — remembrance star · Source: matariki.co.nz (pending G2)

Other whetū

Matariki Tipuānuku Tipuārangi Waitī