<
https://theconversation.com/we-travelled-to-antarctica-to-see-if-a-maori-lunar-calendar-might-help-track-environmental-change-239583>
"Antarctica’s patterns of stark seasonal changes, with months of darkness
followed by a summer of 24-hour daylight, prompted us to explore how a Māori
lunar and environmental calendar (Maramataka) might apply to the continent and
help us recognise changes as the climate continues to warm.
Maramataka represent an ancient knowledge system using environmental signs
(tohu) to impart knowledge about lunar and environmental connections. It traces
the mauri (energy flow) between the land (whenua), the ocean (moana) and the
sky and atmosphere (rangi), and how people connect to the natural world.
Maramataka are regionally specific. For example, in Manukau, the arrival of
godwits from the Arctic indicates seasonal changes that align with the
migration of eels moving up the local Puhinui stream.
During matiti muramura, the third summer phase that aligns with the summer
solstice, the environment offers tohu that guide seasonal activity. The
flowering of pohutukawa is a land sign (tohu o te whenua), the rising of Rehua
(Antares, the brightest star in the constellation Scorpius) is an atmospheric
sign (tohu o te rangi), and sea urchins (kina) are a sea sign (tohu o te
moana).
When these signs align, it signals balance in nature and the right time to
gather food. But if they are out of sync (such as early flowering or small
kina), it means something in the environment (te taiao) is out of balance.
These tohu remind us how deeply land, sea and sky are connected, and why
careful observation matters. When they’re out of sync, they call us to pause,
observe and adapt in ways that restore natural balance and uphold the mauri of
te taiao."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
