A traditional Maori ceremony
Most public ceremonies are performed in the open, at the marae.
The gods are offered the first fruits of all undertakings. Incantations, also known as karakia are chanted in flawless repetition to influence the gods.
Maori ceremonies are traditionally held in the marae, which is an open space in front of the communal meeting house and home to a tribes ancestral spirit. Priests communicate directly with the gods. Dance, like many traditional Maori rituals, is very stylised. Men dance the haka, which is a war dance once performed before battle. They poke their spears, chant and stick their tongues out threatingly, as they would at enemies. Women may perform a poi, or a ball dance, in which they gracefully twirl balls of fibre while chanting and swaying. On February 6th New Zealand commemorate the treaty of Waitangi, in 1840 between the British and Maori. Over two thousand Maori performers congregate every February for Aotearoa Traditional Maori Performing Arts festival.
Maori ceremonies are traditionally held in the marae, which is an open space in front of the communal meeting house and home to a tribes ancestral spirit. Priests communicate directly with the gods. Dance, like many traditional Maori rituals, is very stylised. Men dance the haka, which is a war dance once performed before battle. They poke their spears, chant and stick their tongues out threatingly, as they would at enemies. Women may perform a poi, or a ball dance, in which they gracefully twirl balls of fibre while chanting and swaying. On February 6th New Zealand commemorate the treaty of Waitangi, in 1840 between the British and Maori. Over two thousand Maori performers congregate every February for Aotearoa Traditional Maori Performing Arts festival.
In the above video is footage of a traditional Aotearoa Maori Performing Arts festival in 2000. Read more at: www.teara.govt.nz/en/traditional-maori-religion-nga...a...maori/page-5