M ori performing arts is a dynamic part of the M ori
culture which has effectively ensured the
inter-generational transmission of M ori knowledge
for thousands of years. Performing arts was crucial
amongst a group of people with no written form of
their language. Traditionally, M ori performing arts
was not a performance but a ritual. It was an
integral part of
everyday life and was used in all aspects of
traditional M ori society. Upon European arrival to
New Zealand M ori social life and customs were
observed and documented in a written form. M ori
social life and material culture changed
remarkably and these early written sources provide a
glimpse of how traditional M ori society operated.
The aim of this research is to investigate early
sources on M ori performing arts in order to
construct a written history of poi - one of the least
researched but most widely practiced areas of M ori
performing arts. It is hoped that this study on poi
will encourage others to engage in historical
research and unearth other secrets of M ori
performing arts that have been hidden amongst the
pages of early writings.
culture which has effectively ensured the
inter-generational transmission of M ori knowledge
for thousands of years. Performing arts was crucial
amongst a group of people with no written form of
their language. Traditionally, M ori performing arts
was not a performance but a ritual. It was an
integral part of
everyday life and was used in all aspects of
traditional M ori society. Upon European arrival to
New Zealand M ori social life and customs were
observed and documented in a written form. M ori
social life and material culture changed
remarkably and these early written sources provide a
glimpse of how traditional M ori society operated.
The aim of this research is to investigate early
sources on M ori performing arts in order to
construct a written history of poi - one of the least
researched but most widely practiced areas of M ori
performing arts. It is hoped that this study on poi
will encourage others to engage in historical
research and unearth other secrets of M ori
performing arts that have been hidden amongst the
pages of early writings.