Celebrating the Autumn Equinox in Māori Culture: Stories and Traditions
The Autumn Equinox is a significant time with alignments in Māori culture. Although the term Equinox is not a Māori term it does mark a midway point of the journey of Tama-nui-te-rā as he moves towards ‘Hine Takurua’ the Winter Maiden. The term ‘Pahore o Rēhua’ translates as equinox in English and relates to the migration time of adult Whitebait (Pahore).
It marks the transition from the warmer months to the cooler months and signals a time of change and transition in the natural world. During Ngahuru (Autumn) crops are being harvested or ready for harvest for the Winter ahead. Some iwi practice rītenga (ceremonies) at this time such as ‘Te hautahi o te tau‘ which focuses on the Autumn hauhake (harvest).
Here are some stories and traditions associated with this time of year which co-incides around the Autumn Equinox and suggest ways to observe and celebrate this special time.
The Autumn equinox is said to occur at Wednesday, 20 March 2024 at 4:06 p.m. NZDT according to the data at TimeandDate.com.
Why is it called an equinox?
On the days of the equinoxes, the Earth’s axis is perpendicular to the Sun’s rays, meaning that all regions on Earth receive about the same number of hours of sunlight. In other words, night and day are, in principle, the same length all over the world. This is the reason it’s called an “equinox,” derived from Latin, meaning “equal night.”
However, this is literal translation not entirely true. In reality, equinox days don’t have exactly 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of dark.
Stories and Traditions:
There are several stories and traditions in Māori culture associated with the time that the Autumn Equinox occurs.
Ritenga (ceremony): Te Huatahi o te Tau
The autumn ritenga is Te Huatahi o te Tau. This ritenga is focused on the autumn Hauhake (harvest) and is known as the Hau Rongo. It focuses on:
- acknowledging the kūmara harvest; and
- storing food prior to winter.
Stories: Hine-nui-te-pō
One such story is that of Hine-nui-te-pō, the goddess of death and the underworld. Vibrant red sunsets are sometimes associated with Hine-nui-te-pō. These occur more commonly during Autumn and around the time of the Equinox and near the time of the setting of Matariki. It is said that Hine-nui-te-pō descends to the world of the living to collect the spirits of those who have passed away during the previous year. This is a time of reflection and remembrance for many Māori, as they honor the memory of their loved ones who have passed away.
Stories: Tāne
Another told to me during studying rongoā Māori by a colleague was of Tāne, the god of the forest, who sheds his cloak of leaves during the Autumn around the time of the Equinox as a sign of the changing season. This is seen as a metaphor for shedding the old and preparing for the new, and it is a time for letting go of what no longer serves us and making space for new growth and possibilities.
Stories: Tānerore
There is also the story of Tānerore. Tanerore was the son of the god of the sun, Tama-nui-te-ra, and his wife Hine-raumati, who embodied the essence of summer. Tanerore was said to be the deity who embodied the trembling of the air on hot summer days, and was known for his dancing and entertainment. The ‘wiri’ in kapa Waka is the embodiment of Tanerore in action.
According to the legend, Tānerore became so proud of his ability to bring light and warmth to the earth that he refused to allow the seasons to change. This upset the other gods, and they conspired to teach him a lesson by throwing him out of the celestial realm. As he fell, Tānerore grabbed hold of the sun and the moon, causing them to spin around him as he tumbled to earth. When he landed, he was transformed into a bird called a kahu, which we now know as the harrier hawk or Kāhu. This story of Tānerore is mentioned in the book “Maori Myths and Legendary Tales” by A.W. Reed (pages 54-55). The Kāhu is believed to symbolize the changing seasons and the transition from the warmth of summer to the cooler months of autumn.
In Te Reo Māori, this Equinox marks the mid point of Ngahuru (Autumn)is known by some as “Te Kahu o Te Kōanga” which was a reference to the falling of the Spring cloak during the middle of Autumn (this was a kōrero from one of my school teachers). It is a time to begin harvesting those crops which rely on the hotter weather and preparing for the winter harvests ahead, as the days become shorter and the weather grows cooler. Some whānau people celebrate this time by gathering with family and friends, sharing food, and participating in traditional activities such as kapa haka (Māori performing arts) and waiata (songs).
Observing the Autumn Equinox:
There are many ways to observe and celebrate the Autumn Equinox. Here are a few suggestions:
Take a moment to reflect and honor the memory of loved ones who have passed away. Light a candle, say a karakia (prayer), or simply take a moment of silence to remember those who have gone before us.
Take a walk in nature and observe the changing colors of the leaves and the shifting of the seasons. Connect with the natural world and appreciate the beauty of this time of year.
Gather with family and friends and share a meal or participate in traditional activities such as kapa haka or waiata. Connect with your community and celebrate the changing of the seasons together.
Plant seeds or bulbs as a symbol of new growth and possibility. Use this time to set intentions for the coming months and focus on what you want to cultivate in your life.
- Get up at sunrise as the sun just begins to rise mark a point which indicates the direction of the rising sun. Do the same at night time as the sun falls. Then do the same on Te Ihu o Hine Takurua (The Winter Solstice) and for the next equinox and solstice. This will give you the range of light fall at your home property and provide you with data on where you can best plant your garden crops.
The Autumn Equinox is a special time, marking a time of change and transition in the natural world. As a people Māori constantly observe and practice their/our connection to te Taiao (the natural world). By observing and celebrating this time, we can connect with our community, honor our ancestors, and prepare for the new growth and possibilities that lie ahead. Whether through reflection, nature walks, community gatherings, or planting seeds, there are many ways to celebrate the Autumn Equinox in Māori culture and connect with the changing of the seasons.
Digital Art relating to this topic
References:
- Hine-nui-te-pō:
Wikipedia: It is believed among Māori that the colour red in the sky comes from her. Hine-nui-te-pō shepherds the wairua/souls into the first level of Rarohenga to ready them for the next stage of their journey.
Victoria.ac.nz – Hine-nui-te-pō - Tāne:
Kōrero in Wānanga Rongoā Māori.
Te Ngāhere – forest lore Te Ara.govt.nz
Observations of Autumn – Bear Park - Tānerore – “Maori Myths and Legendary Tales” by A.W. Reed (pages 54-55).
Share your kōrero
I’m interested to hear stories from iwi, hapū and whānau which relate to the time of the Equinox and Autumn itself. It’d be great to have more references and build out some kōrero around this kaupapa.
Can you please link the story that you mention about Tane? I’m very interested to hear more
Hello Brendon, I found your website whilst researching the Autumn Equinox for our NZ Gardening podcast.
Well done, I have enjoyed reading and learning.
Would you mind if I gave your website a mention next week, please?
Kind regards,
Ali Soper
Kia ora Ali,
yes you are totally welcome to give it a mention if you think it’s helpful to your listeners 🙂