Today we visited one of the two functional Maori villages left in the world, Whakarewarewa, which is actually the short name. It is located in a very thermally active area. The use the extremely hot water and steam to cook their food. It’s a natural spa, If you want a free facial or to clean out your lungs its the place to be. To say the least, these people have given us quite the experience so far and its yet to be over. We learned the Haka and preformed for the ladies in our group with Dr. Swanson as our leader. It was epic to say the least. Haka is a traditional war dance designed to prepare their mind and bodies for war. It is also supposed to be effective in scaring the enemies off. For dinner we ate a traditionally prepared dinner which reminded me of my grama’s good home cooking. We learned about their customs such as their food, their cultural symbology, which comes in many forms such as carvings and tattoos. They hold their family history, Whakapapa, very high as a way of identifying themselves to other tribes .it was a very educational experience. I can’t wait to wake up bright and early at 5:30.
DK out

Cultural immersion was the theme of the day today with an overnight visit to a  working Maori village called Whakawerawera.  Upon arrival, they immediately began teaching us about native culture and customs beginning with a traditional greeting demonstration that included native song and dance.  One of the traditional war dances that was performed for us was called the Haka which the men were later taught in detail for a public performance for the women.  The Haka consists of rhythmic dance accompanied by hand motions and lyrics that read:
Ka Mate Ka Mate
Ka Ora Ka Ora
Ka Mate Ka Mate
Ka Ora Ka Ora
Tenei Te Tangata
Puhuru Puhuru
Nana I Tiki Mai
Whaka Whiti Te Ra
Hupane Hupane
Hupane Kupane
Whiti Te Ra
Hei
It was incredibly enjoyable and educational to take part in a culture that I was previously not familiar with but now have extreme reverence and respect for.  They truly made me feel like I was part of their family.  Erik Sowell

Today we took the bus to Whakawerawera, which is Maori village located on the outskirts of Rotorua. Although we had already been to a similar Maori community, we are actually staying the night at this village. When we arrived, some of the Maori people performed a cultural display for us and even pulled some of us out of the audience to participate in the show. After the display, the guys were taught the “haka” and the girls learned how to make “poi”. After that, another Maori showed us a couple of traditional Maori instruments. Both were long straight horns made of wood, and when he blew into them they produced a loud noise that would have been heard before battles or in special times of peace. This is the first time on the trip that our entire group will be sleeping in the same room. The building where we are staying is made to symbolize the body of Maori elders. On the roof is a figure of a Maori man that serves as the buildings head. Coming out from the head are the arms that act as the sides of the roof. The legs come down from the roof and are, as everything else in the building, carved with special images. Inside the building, the ceilings supports symbolize the ribs, the windows are the eyes, the door is the mouth, and a column coming down from the ceiling in the middle of the room is the heart. The walls of the room are home to a number of different carvings that depict the elders themselves. So far, this Maori village has been great and I’m sure that tomorrow will be even better.
                             Mitchell Adams