Integrating Maori Maramataka into Antarctic Study

Wellington, Jul 16 (The Conversation) Antarctica, with its dramatic shifts from prolonged darkness to non-stop summer daylight, has inspired an exploration of applying the Maori lunar and environmental calendar, Maramataka, to understand climate changes on the continent. Maramataka, steeped in ancient wisdom, uses environmental signs (tohu) to elucidate the connections between lunar cycles and the environment. It traces the energy flow or mauri between the land (whenua), ocean (moana), and sky and atmosphere (rangi), emphasizing humanity's bond with nature.

The Maramataka is regionally tailored, and in regions like Manukau, specific tohu indicate seasonal shifts. For instance, the arrival of godwits from the Arctic correlates with the migratory patterns of local eels in the Puhinui stream. During the matiti muramura phase, corresponding with the summer solstice, various tohu such as the flowering pohutukawa, the rising of Rehua (Antares), and the presence of sea urchins signal ecological balance. If these signs misalign—such as early flowering or undersized kina—it suggests an environmental imbalance. These signals highlight the interconnectedness of land, sea, and sky, urging careful observation to maintain or restore harmony in nature.

Tracking Maramataka in Antarctica involved observing the mass arrival of Weddell seals near New Zealand’s Scott Base in midsummer. Using Hautuu Waka, an ancient framework for weaving and wayfinding, researchers adapted the system to navigate environmental and social complexities in Antarctica. Despite Antarctica's distinct tohu compared to Aotearoa, the energy cycles of the Maramataka Moon aligned with traditional narratives about snow and ice. Observed snow forms included feather-like snow (hukapuhi) near Scott Base, "unseen" snow (hukakoropuku) on high-elevation plateaus, and diamond dust-like snow (hukapunehunehu), each with unique whakapapa connecting them to wider environmental systems.

Integrating Western science and matauranga Maori marks the beginning of merging ancient Maori knowledge with modern scientific inquiry. Traditional practices offered insights into phenomena beyond the reach of Western scientific methods. By combining field observations with matauranga Maori and paleoclimate data, such as ice cores, the study fosters a deeper understanding of Antarctic environments. Ice cores, like the Maramataka, record environmental histories. For example, summer is marked in ice cores by peaks in biogenic aerosols from marine phytoplankton blooms. This knowledge provides a key tohu in the Maramataka related to biological activity.

The millennia-old Maramataka framework presents a new way to integrate Maori methodologies in understanding Antarctica. Grounded in the perspective that everything is interconnected, this approach encourages viewing the polar environment as a living system with interwoven tohu, cycles, and relationships. (The Conversation)