As I understand it, kapa haka is Maori performing arts-- singing, dancing, and oratory-ing. Today we went to Haka in the Park- Wellington Regional Competition, part of a larger community festival called Te Ra o te Raukura. It was really beautiful and I have lots to learn in regards to what it all meant. What I do know is that I continue to be amazed at the amount of Maori words that are sprinkled into everyday English conversation. I don't know the Maori-English equivalent word for Spanglish, but I need it to explain what I'm hearing here. The announcers and even the person who took us were using so many words I didn't know. Lots to learn! Below are a few videos I took. For more on the politics of kapa haka, this Waka Huia documentary is pretty awesome.
Questions that were raised for me:
-These were adults, but there are teen kapa haka groups. To what extent is this "cool"?
-How does one join one of these groups? How do they decide if you're legit enough to join?
-Were these groups always big, or has there been a resurgence in recent years?
-What are the lyrics saying?
-Many high schools have these groups-- do teens join because they feel connected to their Maori culture or do they become connected by joining this group?
-What's it like to be a teenager in NZ who isn't Maori or Pakeha? If you're an immigrant from Samoa or Ecuador, where you do you fit in?
Questions that were raised for me:
-These were adults, but there are teen kapa haka groups. To what extent is this "cool"?
-How does one join one of these groups? How do they decide if you're legit enough to join?
-Were these groups always big, or has there been a resurgence in recent years?
-What are the lyrics saying?
-Many high schools have these groups-- do teens join because they feel connected to their Maori culture or do they become connected by joining this group?
-What's it like to be a teenager in NZ who isn't Maori or Pakeha? If you're an immigrant from Samoa or Ecuador, where you do you fit in?