Te Maramataka—An Indigenous System of Attuning with the Environment, and Its Role in Modern Health and Well-Being

Abstract

The connection between the natural environment and human health is well documented in Indigenous narratives. The maramataka—a Māori system of observing the relationships between signs, rhythms, and cycles in the environment—is underpinned by generations of Indigenous knowledge, observation, and experimentation. The maramataka enabled Māori and our Pacific relatives to attune with the movements of the environment and ensure activities essential for survival and well-being were conducted at the optimal times. A recent revival of the maramataka in various communities in New Zealand is providing uniquely Indigenous ways to ‘reconnect’ people, and their health, with the natural environment. In a world where people have become increasingly disconnected from the natural environment, the maramataka offers an alternative to dominant perspectives of health. It also provides a mechanism to enhance the many facets of health through an understanding of the human–ecosystem relationship in a uniquely Indigenous way. This conceptual paper (i) highlights a uniquely Indigenous way of understanding the environment (the maramataka) and its connection to health, (ii) discusses the connections between the maramataka and scientific research on health and the environment, and (iii) introduces current and potential applications of the maramataka in improving health and well-being.

“Kauaka e kōrero mō te Awa, kōrero ki te Awa: An Awa-Led Research Methodology” (Don’t Talk about the Awa, Talk with the Awa)

“…Are they fit for purpose to hold both human and more-than-human voice?). It allows the researcher to consider what they need; in my case, I developed my own Maramataka journal (a decision-making tool codified on the basis of Māori ecological knowledge based on the systematic study of environmental indicators, rhythms, and cycles) (Warbrick et al 2023b) as an active, reflective device to capture field notes which may contextualize some of the research findings. This fieldwork, or 'Awawork' journal, will be a reflective guide for me throughout my research, and like the methodology, is an iterative, experiential learning tool to integrate and render information stream (e.g., including sketches, environmental observations) in an aesthetic and embodied within Whanganui epistemology.…”

Whakamana te tangata – ka whai oranga te taiao: Indigenous led approaches for catchment health in Aotearoa-New Zealand

“…For Māori, kūtai population health has long been understood to indicate the health state of their ecosystem, and thus provided a signal that human behaviour in relation to this resource needed to change [28]. The practice of imposing temporary bans (rāhui) on harvesting shellfish is one example of an intergenerational strategy to address the need to rebalance the ecosystem [29]. Recently, Ao Māori thinking about sustainable ways of working with ecosystems has led to measurable improvements in the health of both lake and marine environments.…”

Exploring Autoethnographic and Arts-Based Approaches to Planetary Health: Honoring Diversity through Creativity, Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Loving Relationships

“…Contextualizing indigenous knowledge systems within the framework of Planetary Health is essential in fostering a comprehensive and inclusive approach to addressing the interconnected challenges facing our planet [22]. Indigenous knowledge systems are holistic and time-tested frameworks that have guided indigenous communities in their interactions with their environments for generations [23]. These knowledge systems are deeply rooted in cultural traditions, spirituality, and a profound understanding of the natural world.…”