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Monday, August 9, 2010

ABC WEdnesday: Dance

New Zealand Maori Dance



Hawaii Dance: Hula

Tahiti Dance


http://abcwednesdayround3.blogspot.com/
ABC Wednesday is hosted by Mrs. Denise Nesbitt

Last week, the Kahurangi dancers came to dance for us. They showcased the dances of the islands of Polynesia. First from Tahiti to Hawaii , Samoa and finally to New Zealand. The battery in my camera wasn't strong, sorry for the blurry photos.

The last few photos are the New Zealand Maori dances. The round things are attached to a rope are Pois. The POI was used, many years ago, by the indigenous Maori people of New Zealand to increase their flexibility and strength in their hands and arms as well as improving coordination.

Wahine (female) dancers perform the Maori POI, a dance performed with balls attached to flax strings, swung rhythmically.
The POI dance was originally used by the Maori women for keeping their hands flexible for weaving and by the men for strength and coordination required during battle. POI are also used as a training aid for other ancient weapons like the Mere or Patu (Short club)

KAHURANGI Maori Dance Theatre

Kahurangi (Cloak from Heaven) is New Zealand's only full-time Maori Dance Theatre of professional caliber to maintain a consistent presence in North America for the past thirteen years. Kahurangi was formed in 1983 to provide cultural, recreational, educational and employment opportunities for graduates of Takitimu Performing Arts School, based in Hastings, New Zealand, which has established itself as a pioneer in the field of Maori Performing Arts and was the first tertiary institution to offer a full-time under-graduate degree in Maori Performing Arts. Since 1985, Kahurangi has presented over 2000 performances in New Zealand, Australia, China, Singapore, Mexico, India and Malaysia along with the United States of America and Canada.

26 comments:

Unknown said...

Wow! It is so interesting. Thanks for sharing.

Gattina said...

That must have been a very pretty show !

Unknown said...

The outfits are wonderful!

Anonymous said...

We saw and did lots of things while in Hawaii. There were lots of things that we didn't see or do. We didn't go to see any hula dancing. If we ever go back to Hawaii, one thing we want to do is see a hula dance.

Carver said...

Great shots of the dancers and an interesting post. Perfect for the letter D.

Ginny Hartzler said...

This is great, and you've shown so many different dances and costumes! I didn't really think the pictures were blurry! You must have a good stop motion setting. I'm thinking that a POI would be a good thing for most people, seniors too, because most people could do it. Wonder if you can buy them anywhere? I'm sure I would clunk myself in the head with it, though, it may be a lot harder than it seems.

joo said...

Wonderful photos - I've never seen such dances!Lovely!

Sylvia K said...

What a great post for the D Day! Love the shots of the dancers and their costumes! Looks like a great show! Would have loved to have seen it myself and your photos are the next best thing! Really interesting post. Hope your week is going well!

Sylvia

photowannabe said...

Love the variety of the South Sea Island dances.
So colorful and winsome.
Makes me want to see them in person.

Unknown said...

cool post and photo!

Animor said...

Lovely photo of the dancers, love their custumes...interesting D day photos makes me wanna dance too..

Dani said...

Delightful photos.

Dani

EG CameraGirl said...

I like that they allowed you to take photos of them while they danced. Too bad about the week battery but I can see enough to be impressed.

Gigi Ann said...

I like your D Day Dancers pictures. It looks like so much fun. Thanks for sharing all the information about the dances, as well.

Verna Luga said...

very interesting Dance indeed Ann, I love to hear the rhythm ... thanks for dropping by Petty Things In Life

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

musical D post, love watching people dance.

Wanda said...

This was excellent! Love the costumes...wish it had been a video.

Jama said...

Delightful dance!

Rajesh said...

The dancers in traditional attire look great.

dianasfaria.com said...

I love to watch a dance, especially traditional ones - they seem to have so much meaning.

Tes said...

Oh wow, I haven't seen any like it. Looks interesting. :)

Roger Owen Green said...

And such variety of dance. Thanks for sharing!

ROG, ABC Wednesday team

Kim, USA said...

I missed watching this kind of shows it does remind me of my college days where we have to perform different dances from different countries. Great shot!

ABC Wednesday~D

GreensboroDailyPhoto said...

So many wonderful dances and, as always, you tell us so many interesting facts!

Leo said...

very nice photographs.. thanks for sharing! :)

Tumblewords: said...

Ah, very nice - the hula is such a graceful dance!