Express yourself through Māori culture during a Haka workshop

Apr 6, 2017 | by Justine Vallée | Art, Event

About the author

Half-tourist and half-journalist, I am a full-time hot chocolate drinker who never leaves her camera. Always on the lookout, from classical music to rap, to the arts or good spots to visit, I could also feed myself with history and culture of all kinds.

World heritage is full of treasure, and Mâori’s isn’t an exception to the rule. Māori people used to dance before a battle to show themselves as a united front to the intimidate opponents. What a decent way to fight a war. Iritana Bristowe along with her niece, Kieran Bristowe-Timu, will present two three-hour courses to introduce this dance called Haka at Pllek.

Haka was a dance performed during wars, a traditional war cry from the Māori people of New Zealand, with vigorous movements and stamping of the feet with rhythmically shouted accompaniment. Now, it’s art. Haka’s a language with moves and songs. “In every Haka, there’s a message or a tribute to somebody. It’s a vehicle for us to be able to express ourselves” said the Haka expert Inia Maxwell.

Iritana was directly in touch with Māori culture from her ancestors in New Zealand. She introduces Haka to a participatory audience. At the beginning, you’ll discover the Hakaria prayer before an overview of Māori culture. After this course, you can finally practice in small groups and even lead the Haka. But the most impressive moment should be when in the end, small groups will become one and will dance Haka together. Unfortunately, the women-only session is sold out, but both men and women can participate on April 22. Don’t worry, you don’t have to fight a war after. Join this collective frenzy!