Matariki: The Star of the Year The Star of the Year (Abridged)

In midwinter, Matariki rises in the pre-dawn sky, and its observation is celebrated with incantations on hilltops at dawn, balls, exhibitions, dinners and a vast number of events. The Matariki tradition has been re-established, and its regeneration coincides with a growing interest in M¿ori astronomy. Still, there remain some unanswered questions about how Matariki was traditionally observed. These include:
What is Matariki?
Why did M¿ori observe Matariki?
How did M¿ori traditionally celebrate...