The Matariki Ceremony

In te ao Māori (the Māori world), a hautapu (short for whāngai i te hautapu) is a traditional Matariki ceremony in which food offerings are cooked in an earth oven (umu) to "feed the stars". 

• The Meaning: By uncovering the oven, the rising steam carries the essence of the food upward to feed the whetū (stars) and sustain them for the coming year.

• The Process: The ceremony is guided by a tohunga (expert) and involves three main components: Te Tirohanga (viewing the stars), Taki Mōteatea (remembering the dead), and Te Whāngai i ngā Whetū (the ceremonial feeding). 

• Participation: It is a beautiful way for communities to gather, reflect on the past year, and share kai