Kapa haka - or traditional Māori performing arts - forms a powerful and highly visual part of the New Zealand cultural experience.
Kapa haka is the term for Māori performing arts and literally means to form a line (kapa) and dance (haka). It involves an emotional and powerful combination of song, dance and chanting. Kapa haka is performed by cultural groups on marae, at schools, and during special events and festivals. While you're in New Zealand, take the opportunity to experience the excitement of kapa haka for yourself.
During a kapa haka performance you’ll experience a range of compositions, from chants and choral singing to graceful action songs and ferocious war dances. Many performances include skilled demonstrations of traditional weaponry.
Many traditional performances take place in a wharenui or Māori meeting house
In a waiata-ā-ringa or action songs, the lyrics are supported by symbolic hand movements. The performers flutter their hands quickly, a movement called wiri, which can symbolise shimmering waters, heat waves or even a breeze moving the leaves of a tree. Waiata-ā-ringa are usually accompanied by a guitar and can be slow, fast, serious, or fun and flirtatious, depending on the context.
Poi is a form of dance in which each performer skilfully twirls one or more poi (ball on a chord) in perfect unison with the others. Sudden direction changes are achieved by striking the ball on a hand or other part of the body, and the noise creates a percussive rhythm. Poi dancers are usually women and a skilled performance will strongly convey a sense of grace, beauty and charm.
The Maori poi dance features the skilful control of a ball swung on a string.
Haka are war dances with loud chanting, strong hand movements, foot-stamping and thigh-slapping. Performers may incorporate traditional weapons, such as taiaha (spear-like weapons) and patu (clubs) into their haka. The All Blacks rugby team famously performs their haka before every game, and it is likely you will see this very same haka if you attend a cultural performance.
Pūkana or facial expressions are an important facet of Māori performance. They help emphasise a point in a song or haka and demonstrate the performer’s ferocity or passion. For women, pūkana involves opening the eyes wide and jutting out their tattooed chin. For men, it means widening the eyes and stretching out their tongue or baring their teeth. Though these expressions may be intimidating, they are not necessarily a sign of aggression, but may simply show strong and deep-felt emotions.
Here are just a few locations where you can experience Māori performing arts.
