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Each year, the appearance of the Pleiades in the sky marks the beginning of Matari‘i i ni‘a, a sacred season symbolizing fertility, prosperity, and a deep connection between humans and nature.
In 2025, two key events will highlight this celebration: November 20 in Papeete and November 22 in Tautira.
Between celestial traditions and community festivities, these events invite us to rediscover ancestral knowledge, honor natural cycles, and share a moment of unity around Polynesian cultural values.
Local residents and visitors are warmly invited to take part in these free, public events.
In addition to the official events, many associations, municipalities, and public or private institutions will host their own Matari‘i i ni‘a celebrations. Each contributes in its own way to keeping ancestral knowledge, cultural practices, and the sacred connection between humans, nature, and the stars
Matari‘i i ni‘a is much more than an astronomical phenomenon.
In Polynesian culture, the stars, nature, and human activities are interrelated. The sky, the ocean, and the land operate together in cycles that define the rhythm of life.
When the Pleiades reappear in the sky, it signals the return of abundance. It is a time for celebration, sharing, and gratitude.
Matari‘i i ni‘a is a spiritual, communal, and celestial celebration, a reminder of how deeply our traditions are connected to the universe.
In the traditional Polynesian calendar, Matari‘i i ni‘a corresponds to the heliacal rising of the Pleiades (Matari‘i) around November.
It marks the beginning of a season of abundance: the rains return, plants bloom, the soil regenerates, and marine and land resources become more plentiful.
This celestial event is not just about observing the stars — it guides life rhythms in close harmony with nature.
Unlike the Western linear concept of time, Polynesian societies live according to the seasons and signs from the sky.
Matari‘i i raro is not just a term heard during traditional ceremonies.
It marks the beginning of the dry season in Polynesia, a time characterized by the scarcity of natural resources.
Often seen as a time of scarcity, it is above all a moment for pause, reflection, and respect for the environment.
This celestial marker helps organize life in harmony with nature’s cycles.
To prolong the experience, listen to “Ia ora Matari’i,” performed by Nohorai Temaina and Steve Angia.
This song pays tribute to the appearance of the Pleiades, which marks the beginning of the season of abundance in Polynesia. Through its lyrics and melodies, it celebrates the deep connection between the stars, nature, and Polynesian cultural traditions.
Matari‘i i ni‘a is now a major cultural celebration, bridging memory and modernity.
Long carried by associations and knowledge keepers, this ancient tradition is now open to the entire population, in a spirit of transmission and collective sharing.
In 2025, November 20 becomes an official public holiday in French Polynesia, marking an important step in recognizing Polynesian cultural heritage.
It is an opportunity to remember that Polynesian culture, deeply connected to nature, remains a living pillar of identity.
