|
Matiti banners > Rationale | Getting started | Developing designs | Workshops | Reflection
Getting started: science research
At the beginning, the students were rather apprehensive. Banners are very public statements, and none of the students felt at all confident about their art skills. But they were reassured when told that the banners would be group efforts, and the process of developing them would be carefully structured within 10 two-hour workshops.
Science tutor Rawiri Hindle directed the students' research, and helped them identify the main concepts and organise the relevant science information. The material was gathered from many sources, including the Carter Observatory, Te Papa, and various Internet sites.
Growing season focus
The most important part of the year in traditional tikanga Māori was found to be the period from planting to harvesting of crops – spring through to autumn in our present understanding.
The sign that the time for planting was approaching was when the Kumara hou – a small shrub with sage-like leaves and tufted yellow blossom – suddenly burst into flower.
Each matiti of the growing season was characterised by a particular view of the sun. It was decided that a banner would be developed for the characteristic sun of each matiti of the growing season, as follows.
-
Matiti-tau: October/November – a time of high energy; birds nesting; fresh leaves and blossoms; kumara planting.
-
Matiti-hana: November/December – summer has arrived; the sun is strong.
- Matiti-kaiwai: December/January – summer solstice.
- Matiti-kaipaenga:
- January/February – fruits grow and begin to ripen
- February/March – it is too hot; food is scarce.
- Matiti-ruwai: March/April – the harvest: time for cutting, gathering, and storing crops.
|
