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Focus points and focus questions

Māori dance  |  Dance styles and props  | Focus points and focus questions |  Suggested activities  |  Related resources

Focus points

In the All Blacks' haka, note how the rugby players show strength by grimacing, slapping their arms, and bending their knees deeply. Together their voices and movements create a challenging performance.

On the marae, the dancers are wearing practice clothes, such as T-shirts, shorts, and sneakers. In the Māori performance we see at the competition, the female dancers wear piupiu (skirts) and a pari (bodice) made in a tāniko design. Tāniko is finger weaving. The women also wear a headband called a tipare. The men wear a shorter piupiu. The Māori tattoo is called a moko. In a performance, the dancers have bare feet to help them to connect to the earth. The waiata or songs are at one with the movement.

When Dr Sharples is interviewed, he is holding a patu in one hand and a taiaha in the other.

The women use both long poi and short poi. More actions are created every year.

The shaking of the hands in kapa haka known as wiri, which emulates the shimmer of heat, is done with closed fingers by women and with open fingers by men.

Focus questions

  • How many kinds of objects can you see the Māori performers using? What are these different objects?
  • What objects do the women use? What objects do the men use?
  • What kinds of movements do the dancers perform?
  • How do the women's movements differ from the men's?
  • What are some of the reasons Māori perform kapa haka?
  • What facial expressions do you see the dancers using? How do these expressions contribute to the performance?
  • What does Dr Sharples say about how the haka is evolving?
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