Our studies with Sonlight's Core 5 is now taking us to New Zealand, so I'm writing up a short summary of music to add to what's already happening here.
There is a lovely site on the history of Maori music from An Encyclopedia of New Zealand 1966. It's worth reading this to learn more of the collection of musical and non-musical instruments.
image from here
Maestro has chosen to focus on learning the Haka for his New Zealand project. We've managed to find a few web pages giving details, but so far the best found has been this page. (Click on the "Launch the Haka Feature" button to see it performed, and see English translation).
The origin of the haka was very interesting to read about, with many overtones of Egyptian gods and their stories. You can read more here.
The haka isn't the only traditional dance done, though. The women also do their dances, often with pois. Pois accentuate the graceful dancing and help develop strength, flexibility and co-ordination.
Pois are traditionally made from flax, with either long or short cords. We'll be having a go at a dance, having made our own with old socks (I actually did this in primary school, which was a lot of fun ... nice to be able to share information from your youth with your own children). Here's some instruction via video:
Some more information about pois and traditional games can be found on this site: Home of Poi.
For more information on how to do the Haka or twirl poi balls, head on over to Maori music. Put on the music, get moving and make some noise; that's what we're going to do!!
4 comments:
Beautiful imagery Alecat and your NZ music study sounds fabulous.
cool! Maestro may be interested to know that the poi dances - though now only done by women - were once for the warriors, to keep their wrists flexible for fighting.
Kinda like how the sword dance in highland dancing was once done by warriors, and is now mostly done by 10 year old girls...
we made pois at school too - from old panty-hose. Stick balled-up newspaper in the toe, then cut the leg into three strips and plait them. You can make short poi for the little flick-flack type dancing or long ones for the swinging around and around moves.
Lots of fun! Thanks for reminding me :)
Can't wait to see Maestro doing the haka...do post it!!
lol Love the haka! Totally see why it appeals.
You always have such interesting things you're doing. Thanks for sharing.
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