Kapa Haka at Mairtown!

Today Kim collected some traditional Kapa haka costumes for us to borrow and use next term from the Northland Kindergarten association. The children however were immediately keen to explore, try them on and start dancing!

Don’t the girls look splendid in the traditional dresses and the boys awesome wearing their piupiu?

Kapa haka is unique to New Zealand and Maori culture in the fact that the performers must sing, dance, have expression as well as movement all combined into each item. Before beginning our own dancing we discussed with the children the tikanga that needs to be observed.

Kapa Haka can be seen as a form of sign language as each action has a meaning which ties in with the words.

“New Zealand is the home of Maori language and culture: Curriculum in early childhood should promote te reo and nga tikanga Maori, making them visible and affirming their value for children from all cultural backgrounds" 

(Te Whaariki, MOE, p.42)

Here are the children performing to the rest of the Kindergarten at group time.

"Experiencing and taking part in Kapa Haka allows children to experience Maori culture and protocols. It also develops their confidence and their ability to perform in front of an audience.”

One of the children’s favourite waiata (song) is Tutira mai nga iwi. We soon realised that we were not too familiar with the actions for this song however, so invited Roimata our Pou Whakarewa Tikanga Maori (Maori advisor) to come and help us all. How wonderful for us to draw upon Roimata's expertise as a resource which enables our children to experience and gain authentic Maori cultural knowledge.

Here is a little video of the children working with Roimata.

For those who my want to sing along at home, here are the words in Te Reo and the English translation.

Tūtira mai ngā iwi           Tātou tātou e Tūtira mai ngā iwi           Tātou tātou e Whai-a te marama-tanga         me te aroha - e ngā iwi! Ki-a k'tapa-tahi,  Ki-a ko-tahi rā.                                             Tātou tātou e. Tā  - tou, tā - tou E!!

Line up together, people All of us, all of us. Stand in rows, people All of us, all of us. Seek after knowledge and love of others - everybody! Think as one, Act as one. All of us, all of us. All of us, all of us. Sing it all a second time.

Christine