May 27, 2010
Yesterday we stayed at the Maori village. We got to see an amazing dances and songs from the native people. Anita was our guide for the day. She taught all of us girls how to make a Poi and even a dance to use it. The dance we learned was actually a dance that they teach to their preschool children. It teaches them good wrist movement as well as improving their wrists strength for weaponry. This was great so that when the young boys started being taught how to fight at the age of 9 they would already have the strength and style to use the weapons properly. The dances that used the Poi also took much practice and grace. You could use one to four Poi at one time. Looked easy at first, but we later learned that looks can be deceiving. We also got to see how they make their traditional dancing skirts from flax as well as their baskets and other utensils. They even had their local tattoo artist come and tell us how they make their tattoos as well as their significance. They actually carve the pattern into the skin then apply the dye. Their designs tell their family history and the accomplishments they have made in their lifetime. This allows anyone they come into contact with to know everything about them without ever even speaking to them. Then today we woke up bright and early, had breakfast, and hit the road. We arrived at Palmerston today at our lovely supreme lodge.
Halee Burrow
Kia ora y’all!
Kia ora, as someone might have wrote before, is a Maori greeting. We learned from the Whakarewarewa village that it means “good health to all.” We spent all of yesterday afternoon and night at Whakarewarewa- which is an actual thermal village where around 25 Maori families reside. Today we got up at 5:30 a.m.. At the Marae, we experienced the Maori culture first hand. I really enjoyed learning the beliefs, customs, and everyday activities of the tribe.
Anita, our guide during our stay, was the person that taught us the most. She showed the ladies on the trip how to make pois, which translates to mean “ball on string.” Like the name suggests, a poi is literally a ball on a string. Pois were originally used as weapons, but are now used for decorative props during the Maori dances. While the ladies made pois, the young men were taught a Maori Haka dance. Hakas were done as an act of defiance, used to intimidate their enemies before battle. I was a bit jealous, because I wanted to learn the infamous Haka as well.
During our tour of the village, Anita showed us many geothermal hot pools. They villagers use these hot pools for many purposes like cooking, facials, and for hot water. Anita said that most folks that live in the village don’t have access to hot water other than the geothermal pools. For the 10 minutes I stood beside one of the pools, I definitely got a facial. My face felt smooth and clean when I walked away. J
Dinner was one of my favorites! The food was cooked in pressure/hot boxed made from the geothermal ground. Everything on my plate was DELICIOUS! (and healthy) Then the guys had to clear the table and the girls had to wipe the table. Also, it is a Maori custom for the guests to give the cooks a show after a big meal, so the guys finally showed us their Haka dance. I’m not gonna lie, it was pretty awesome! I was pretty intimidated, partly because it was dark and partly because the guys did a good job shouting and war dancing.
The last thing we did for the night was learn a poi dance. The dance was very fun and easy to learn. The words of the dance are:
E RERE TAKU POI
E RERE TAKU POI
KI RUNGA (2X)
E RERE TAKU POI
E RERE TAKU POI
KI RARO (2X)
E RERE RUNGA, E RERE RARO
E RERE ROTO, E RERE WAHO
E RERE TAKU POI
E RERE TAKU POI
KI RUNGA
This morning, all of us ladies did the dance for the cooks after breakfast. I really enjoyed singing for the cooks and for Anita. Anita also gave us pois she made. I was very excited and grateful to her.
Currently we are in Palmerston North. On the way here, we took many stops. A lot of members of our group went bungy jumping in Taupo. I was definitely excited and nervous for everyone who went. We also saw Huka Falls and Mount Ngauruhoe. Mt. Ngauruhoe was Mt. Doom on Lord of the Rings. It had snow on the top and was very beautiful!
I definitely saw a change in landscape as we travel to Wellington. The vegetation changed from tall tree ferns to production pine forests to low vegetation and bush. Peter, our bus driver, said the low flora is due to high winds. Also the really tall mountains cause their own atmosphere. How interesting.
Day 17 is over and 4 more days left in New Zealand. Wow! I can hardly believe it! Hope these next 4 days are packed with activities because I for sure am not ready to leave!
With love,
Venusa Phomakay
