I know that there are holidays such as Naming Day in the Matoran Universe, as well as Matoran that celebrate via dancing, music, sports and confetti throwing, etc. But I would like to know, is there a holiday in the Matoran Universe similar to Christmas or not?
From one of Matt Betteker’s artworks, it shows a picture of the Toa with Ekimu on the mountain as well as silhouette of Santa on a sleigh with reindeer pulling the sleigh. which could indicate that a holiday similar to Christmas is partially canon, but this is only for Generation 2 so I will not get into that rabbit hole.
As for Generation 1, I know that there used to be a region of Ice called Ko-Wahi and there were inhabitants such as the Ko-Matoran, not to mention there were toys such as dolls in the MNOG, e.g., Macku doll and Hewkii doll.
Furthermore there are some mentions of ‘Chimneys’ as well.
Furthermore, there were also Rahi that can be used as a means of transportation similar to reindeer carrying Santa’s sleigh, for instance, the Ussal crabs from the Ussalry
In short, these qualities showcase that there may be a possibility for a Christmas like holiday in the Matoran universe. But I am NOT 100 % on this being canon to the storyline and lore, so take this with a grain of salt. As always please leave a comment and don’t forget to like, and subscribe.
Not every cold region in fictional works is tied to Christmas. Ko-Wahi was known as being fairly inhospitable, and the Ko-Matoran that lived there were reserved and scholarly, the least likely tribe to partake in festivities. Since biological reproduction did not exist in the Matoran Universe, all Matoran are fully matured adults and do not exist as children at any point in their lives, meaning the concept of toys is one that, if it exists at all, is fairly detached from our understanding of it. The dolls were more equatable to curios than toys.
The idea of Santa Claus fitting down chimneys and magically traversing back up them is one rooted in mystical elements, something the Matoran only ever ascribe to the Great Spirit Mata Nui. It is unlikely they would conjure up the idea of an all-benevolent Matoran capable of fitting down fireplace chimneys gifting all the citizenry of the universe household decorations.
Ussal crabs are incapable of flight.
We can also assume that there may be a Bionicle version of the 2003 film Finding Nemo in the Matoran Universe, if we follow that train of logic.
Catholicism, Orthodox Christianity, the canonization of Catholic saints, Lycea, and any Judaistic creation legends are not canon to the world of Bionicle. All these things are necessary for the concept of Santa Claus and Christmas to even begin to exist, and removed from their context the idea of Christmas no longer makes any sense. Why would any Matoran society on any island inside the GSR decide to make a holiday not venerating their Great Spirit, not held as a competition or sporting event, but instead collectively holding the knowingly false superstition that well-behaved members of society would be visited by a supernatural Matoran capable of fitting through chimneys and present them with decor, all because the opportunity presented itself?
Christmas is the second-largest holiday on the planet. It could not have come into existence if certain individuals throughout history did not exist, certain events did not take place, and certain legends were not told and retold until they became tall tales. The Matoran residing on the island of Mata Nui, where Ko-Wahi is located, possess a massive and detailed inscription covering the history of the island known as the Wall of History. Such a precise and well-researched historical record severely undercuts the opportunity for myths and legends to form, and such would distract from the primary legends the Matoran of Mata Nui believed in, that of the coming of the Toa.
I think it’s a disservice to the concept of Christmas, the religious attachments it has, and the history of its existence to try and shoehorn it into Bionicle on the basis that snow and chimneys exist. Bionicle has survived just fine without needing to butcher other ideas in order to pad itself out, and I could think of little else as incompatible with the world of Bionicle than the Christmas tradition.
There are hovering technologies in the Matoran universe that could work. For instance the Moto-Sled had hovering capabilities and was bult by Nuparu. So if the concepts that were used to making the Moto-sled were salvaged and used on the Ussals as well as the sleds the Ussals carry, they could be able to hover in the air but the Ussals would be equipped with something to make them float in the air.
Counterpoint, with a sled that can hover the Ussals would become obsolete, and no animal would be necessary to pull the sleigh. The Metru Nui airships worked on the same principle.
I could have sworn I read somewhere that part of Naming Day legend on Metru Nui was that Mata Nui would travel through the Chutes and deliver gifts to good Matoran.
This bit of trivia is included on BS01, but it’s unsourced.
If you do happen to find that source let me know, I remember reading it somewhere as well. It still fails to fit with the true idea of Christmas, as its equivalent would be God traveling on the highway rather than Santa Claus traveling through chimneys, but it’s an important detail nonetheless.
Born to be Wild on the radio of his ape hanger’d Harley
EDIT: @TheJerminator@Ghid it’s in Adventures 8: Challenge of the Hordika, chapter 2:
“Finding that Rahi you spoke of,” said Matau. “Keetongu — the one who can cure me of… this.”
Iruini snorted. “I suppose you still believe that Mata Nui comes through the chutes on Naming Day bringing gifts to good Matoran, too. Keetongu is a myth, Matau. Some of the other Rahaga believe in him, but I don’t. A Rahi as big as that existing for so long without being found? Please.”
Only slightly related but I was unable to find a mention of Naming Day in Time Trap, despite BS01 claiming it had one
There’s something to be said for the difference between physical maturity and emotional maturity. I’ve known people twice my age that believed anything they were told, no matter how silly. Maybe some Matoran just never “grow up” in sense, despite their physical and cognitive functions being ready on day one
