New Zealand: Maori Kapa haka dance

The Māori are the indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand. They arrived there from eastern Polynesia in several waves at some time before 1300 CE. Over several centuries in isolation, the Māori developed a unique culture with their own language, a rich mythology, distinctive crafts and performing arts. They formed a tribal society based on Polynesian social customs and organi-zation. Horticulture flourished using plants they introduced, and after about 1450 a prominent warrior culture emerged. The arrival of Europeans to New Zealand starting from the 17th century brought enormous change to the Māori way of life. Māori people gradually adopted many aspects of Western society and culture. Today, they make up roughly 15% of the New Zealand population.

Warfare between tribes was common, generally over land conflicts. Fighting was carried out between units called hapu. Although not practiced during times of peace, Māori would sometimes eat their conquered enemies. The cultural dance of Maori people is called Kapa haka. It includes haka (posture dance), poi (dance accompanied by song and rhythmic movements of the poi, a light ball on a string) waiata-ā-ringa (action songs) and waiata koroua (traditional chants).