Ancient Polynesian Astronomy

Ancient Polynesians recognised the planets and the fixed stars. In Hawaii the eastern star was called manalo and the evening star was called na-holo-holo. Their calendar measured the movement of the stars across the sky with great accuracy. Like all ancient cultures the star group of Pleiades, “the seven sisters” had great significance. Its first appearance in the evening sky , which at present falls in November marked the beginning of the year and was highly celebrated. Some other Polynesian groups began their year when Pleiades made its appearance in the morning sky which fell around June.

The lunar month was observed and 29/30 days of the month were given different names for the nights of the Moon. The Hawaiians called this year beginning with Pleiades appearance in the sky Makahiki. It was divided into twelve lunar months, beginning with the new Moon. By allotting 29/30 days to each lunar month there was usually a left over portion of days at the end of the year, but it is unknown what significance was attached to it.. They would use a cycle of 19 years in which the 3^rd, 5^th, 8^th, 11yh, 13^th, 16^th, 19^th years were allowed to have an extra 13^th lunar month. In the intervening years, the 12^th month was given extra length to account for the extra days. The Greeks followed a similar system.

The names given by the Tahitian people to the nights of the Moon are

1. (New Moon) – Tirio or Teriere
2. HiroHiti
3. Hoata
4. Hami-ama-mua
5. Hami-ama-roto
6. Hami-ama-muri
7. ‘Ore’ ore-mua
8. ‘Ore’ ore-mui
9. Tamatea
10. Huna
11. Rapu or Ari
12. Maharu
13. Hu-a
14. Maitu
15. Motu
16. Mara’i
17. Turu or Turutea
18. Ra’au-mua
19. Ra’au-muri
20. ‘Ore’ ore-mua
21. ‘Ore’ ore-roto
22. ‘Ore’ ore-muri
23. Ta’aroa-mua
24. Ta’aroa -roto
25. Ta’aroa-muri
26. Tane
27. Ro’o-nui
28. Ro’o-mauri
29. Mutu or Maurimate