The 19th of July marks the start of Ramadan, the 9th month of the Muslim calendar. During this month, Muslims will fast from sunrise until sunset, as part of a focus on prayer, self-discipline and mindfulness about those less fortunate. At the end of the Ramadan, everyone celebrates Eid-al-Fitr, which is a day (or more in some places) of prayer and feasting. If you would like to learn more about Islam and Ramadan, please check out our library display or follow the links below!
18 June signals the beginning of Matariki, the Māori New Year.
Matariki is the Māori name for the cluster of stars known as the Pleiades. When it rises in the north-eastern skies in late May or early June, it signals to Māori that the New Year will begin. In one tradition, Matariki is the mother surrounded by her six daughters, Tupu-a-nuku, Tupu-a-rangi, Waitī, Waitā, Waipuna-a-rangi and Ururangi. Source: Te Ara - The Museum of New Zealand
For many Māori, the appearance of Matariki signals the end of harvesting crops and a time for replanting. It is also a time of remembrance for people who died since the last appearance of the stars. Matariki was revived in the 20th century, and now many people celebrate with festivals and kite flying. LISTEN to author Toni Rolleston-Cummins read her book The Seven Stars of Matariki!
LOOK at our Matariki books in the library
FIND MORE ONLINE..... Te Ara - Encyclopedia of New Zealand http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/matariki-maori-new-year/page-1 Manatū Taonga - Ministry for Culture and Heritage http://www.mch.govt.nz/nz-identity-heritage/matariki Nga korero a ipurangi o Aotearoa - NZ History http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/classroom/matariki-maori-new-year The Phoenix Astronomical Society - Introduction to Māori Star Lore http://www.astronomynz.org.nz/maori/maori.html
