This biennial fest is a mix of enormous power, beauty and intensity. Te Matatini, a three day Maori cultural festival is a platform for different groups to perform their own type of Haka dance, with awesome music to compliment the dance. It tries to give New Zealanders a sense of pride in their ancient historical roots.
As a cultural festival, it includes flax weaving, art works, stalls selling Maori food and Maori arts and crafts, special events for old Maoris and even a special area where Maori kids can play and entertain themselves.
Today Te Matatini is an enchanting mix of the traditional/contemporary performance of song,dance, poi within Maori culture which expresses love, passion, defience, pride and many more emotions. The subjects are diverse from political, social, enviromental, to anything life can throw at one, good or bad
The main incentive for the haka dance competitors remains an overseas trip for all the forty winning group members. Groups from all over the country have competed in regional finals and the thirty groups which have won their regional competitions come to Te Matatini to compete against each other for the prize of Best National Kapa Haka group.
A Kapa Haka comprises a number of songs and dances performed over a space of 25 minutes( flexible). The performance will include a haka, a dance with poi (the coloured balls on strings), as well as a song that has a contemporary theme.
These 25 minute performances, each with the same structure but with different songs and dances, continue from 10.00am until 8.00pm for two days. At the end of those two days the panel of judges chooses six groups to compete, on the third day, in the final.
Kapa Haka removes the battlefields of Maori ancestors with inherent competitiveness now taking place on stage. Kapa Haka recgonises the strength of diversity among Maori tribes, iwi, hapu, whanau, while equally encouraging all of them to come together and celebrate as one.
The New Zealand national football team, the All Blacks have used the blood-curdling roar of the haka which is accompanied by thigh slapping and foot stomping to put fear in the minds of there opponents before a game. The haka they perform is just a glimpse of the real thing. To experience it in essence and in a magical way you must come to Te Matatini, Maori Kapa Haka Festival.
Source: The Age
