Matariʻi lies at the heart of the relationship Polynesians hold with time, nature and the living world.
Through the observation of stars, seasons, lunar cycles and natural phenomena, the ancients developed a way of reading the world founded on balance, transmission and respect for the living.
This site is dedicated to Matariʻi and to its two great periods — Matariʻi i niʻa and Matariʻi i raro — and to the knowledge tied to them: Polynesian astronomy, cultural practices, ceremonies, spirituality, ecology and transmission.
A space to understand, pass on and keep alive a cultural heritage that remains wholly relevant today.
"The Pleiades above"
Season of abundance. The stars are visible, the sea is generous, the land is fertile. A time of harvests, celebrations and sharing.
"The Pleiades below"
Season of introspection. The stars disappear, nature rests. A time of preparation, transmission and grounding.
We are currently in Matari'i i Ni'a — the season of abundance
Matari'i, the Pleiades, holds a central place in Polynesian cultures, structuring time and human activities through the observation of natural cycles.
The symbolism of Matari'i reflects Polynesian cyclical time: the alternation between abundance and withdrawal organises social and cultural life, and maintains the balance between humans and nature.
The repeated observation of stars and natural signs has been passed down from generation to generation, inscribing in collective memory precise markers for resource management.
Today, the symbolism of Matari'i is found in the arts, graphic patterns, tattoos and rituals. These contemporary uses draw on an ancestral scientific and cultural observation.
The appearance and disappearance of the Matari'i in the night sky mark key periods of the year, allowing daily activities to be organised according to a natural cyclical calendar.
Pāʻōfaʻi Gardens, Papeʻete
Opening ceremony of Matariʻi i niʻa 2026: the ʻava ceremony, for a restricted audience, by invitation only.
Place Vaiʻete, Papeʻete
Craft workshops and information stands by the FAPE Te Ora Naho, Place Vaiʻete.
Place Vaiʻete, Papeʻete
Dance performance and speeches by officials, including the President of French Polynesia.
Friday 20 November in Papeʻete: ʻava ceremony, a parade of 10 flower floats, concerts and fireworks. Free event, open to the public.
Tahiti Tourisme and Te Fare Tauhiti Nui unveiled the full Matari’i i raro 2026 programme at a press conference held on April 21 at the Petit Théâtre of Te Fare Tauhiti Nui — Maison de la Culture.
Located on the island of Raiatea, Taputapuātea is one of the most important sacred sites in all of Polynesia. Listed as UNESCO World Heritage in 2017.
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