Manaia Cultural Performance


The haka is the war dance with lots of protruding eyes and sticking out of tongues (see below). Very scary and intimidating.

Maori demonstrating the poi dance, used to develop the suppleness of the wrist.

Sonia trying out the poi dance.

My chance to try one of the practice dances, this one involving tossing sticks back and forth.

Sticking the tongue out is an act of aggression and intimidation in the Maori culture. This sculpture (and Sonia) demonstrate the proper act.