Rise of the Star Women

Celebrate the rise of Matariki with this fantastic meal prepared for you by Field & Green. There will be 7 dishes, with a focus on wild foods, plus poetry readings.

Rise of the Star Women

Matiriki and her six daughters; the Greek mythological seven daughters of Atlas and Pleione; and the Ukrainian seven maids of Volosozhary. People around the world connected the Seven Sisters of the Pleiades with the very concept of life and death, due to the fact these ‘star women’ signaled the beginning and end of the seasons, when to sow and when to harvest, and when to engage in festivities.

This year, mid-July is the time to observe the rising of Matariki, in the phase of the moon known as Tangaroa, the moon of plenty. Come join us to celebrate the Rise of the Star Women with whānau and friends, and enjoy kai with toikupu (poetry).

Te ono o Matariki

Matariki and the six sisters, is one Maori pakiwaitara (legend) about the star cluster. Matariki the whaea (mother) surrounded by her six daughters, Tupu-ā-nuku, Tupu-ā-rangi, Waipunarangi, Waitī and Waitā, and Ururangi, journey across the sky each year to visit their tupuna wahine great grandmother, Papatūānuku (Mother Earth). During this visit, each of the stars help Papatūānuku to prepare for the year to come, learning and using their unique qualities or gifts to bring mauri, life force, which they guard and pass on to others.

The Pleiades

In Greek mythology the Pleiades are the seven daughters of Atlas and Pleione. After Atlas was forced to carry the heavens on his shoulders, Orion began to pursue the seven sisters, and Zeus transformed them first into doves, and then into stars to comfort their father. The constellation of Orion is said to chase the Pleiades Sisters through the skies forever.

Ukranian folklore

In Ukrainian traditional folklore, 'Volosozhary' (the ones whose hair is glowing), refer to the female tribal deities. According to the legend, seven maids lived long ago who danced traditional round dances and sung glorious songs to honor the gods. After their death the gods turned them into water nymphs, and, having taken them to the Heavens, settled them upon the seven stars, where they dance their round dances (symbolic for moving the time) to this day.

We are unable to cater for any dietary requirements.

Seating is grouped at tables – you can book in a large group or just come along in a smaller group and meet some new people sitting next to you.

This event is part of a monthly Supper Club collaboration between Pirate & Queen and Field & Green.