Rotorua

Maori Challenge

Hospitality is an important aspect of Maori culture and nowhere is this more apparent than in an official welcome to a Marae. Known as a "powhiri", this welcome demands the respect of the visitor who will be expected to treat the ceremony with great dignity. Often intimidating, the welcome begins with the "wero" or challenge where a fearsome warrior will approach to determine whether you come in peace. With his eyes fixed upon you he will perform a series of threatening gestures with the mighty "taiaha" spear before placing a cutting from a tree in front of you. He then retires a few steps fixing his gaze upon you. If you pick up the cutting, keeping his stare, you will be seen to have come in peace and will be welcomed onto the Marae. If you do not pick it up or walk over it you are deemed an enemy and the warrior is compelled by tradition to attack. Best you pick up the cutting! Once you have collected the cutting, the warrior accepts that you have come in peace and retires to the rest of the tribe. The women of the tribe may then commence songs of welcome encouraging you onto the marae and into the meeting house. You are now a welcomed friend or "manuhiri" of the tribe and will be afforded the utmost of hospitality and friendship as you partake in the entertainment offered within the meeting house. This entertainment may include more songs of welcome and songs telling of the history of the tribe. You will see the mighty haka or war dance of the men and the graceful and poetic poi dances of the women.

Maori Ceremonial Dancers - Poi Dance

Fierce Maori Dancers - Intimidation Dance Comments

There is no doubt as to who was the fiercest of all

Maori Building

Interior Maori Meeting House

Other Links:
Maori Culture
Maori vocabulary

See our visit of the Lake Taupo

See our visit to Napier

See our visit to Wellington

See our visit to Nelson

See our visit to Christchurch

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Changes last made on: February 28, 2005