What is the purpose of Te Matatini?
Te Matatini is seen as playing a very important role within Maoridom in promoting the tikanga of the Māori culture and Kapa Haka. It provides a valuable experience for the people of New Zealand and others from all around the world, with the festival attracting up to 30,000 participants and spectators.
How did Te Matatini begin?
Te Matatini ‘the many faces’ was first established in 1972, as the New Zealand Polynesian Cultural Festival. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the Festival grew in size, adopting a new name – Aotearoa Traditional Māori Performing Arts Festival (ATMPAF), in 1983.
What is New Zealand’s tradition of kapa haka?
A kapa haka performance involves choral singing, dance and movements associated with the hand-to-hand combat practised by Māori in mainly precolonial times, presented in a synchronisation of action, timing, posture, footwork and sound. The genre evolved out of a combination of European and Māori musical principles.
When was matatini established?
1972
The festival was called by a variety of names after its inception in 1972 and has been known since 2004 as Te Matatini, which in the Maori language means “The Many Faces.” It is also the name of the festival’s sponsoring organization, and it reflects the diversity of both the kapa haka (literally “row dance”; see also …
What is the difference between kapa haka and haka?
Kapa haka is the term for Māori performing arts, kapa means to form a line, and haka to dance.
Can only New Zealand do the haka?
Although the haka is a traditional dance form of the Māori of New Zealand, the use of a haka by the All Blacks rugby team before matches has made it familiar worldwide, and various haka have been adopted by sports teams outside New Zealand, particularly American football teams in the United States.
Why do Māori open eyes wide?
For women, pūkana involves opening their eyes wide and jutting out their chin. For men, it means widening their eyes and stretching out their tongue or baring their teeth. Though these expressions may be intimidating, they are not necessarily a sign of aggression but may show strong and deep-felt emotions.
What is a haka war cry?
— The Haka is a traditional war cry, war dance, or challenge in Māori culture. It is a posture dance performed by a group, with vigorous movements and stamping of the feet with rhythmically shouted accompaniment.
What do you think about Te Matatini?
I’ve been around the world and experienced a lot of different festivals, Te Matatini just hits different. When people gather and bring that level of wairoua (spirit) on stage, it gives you chills and you feel that mana in your soul. “It’s a cultural celebration!”
What is Te Matatini kapa haka?
Te Matatini – Kapa Haka Aotearoa – Ki te whāngai, ki te whakatipu, ki te manaaki i nga mahi kapa haka kia pūāwai ki ōna taumata. To foster, develop and protect kapa haka in the pursuit of excellence.
What is Te Mangere Matatini?
Te Matatini is a nation-wide Māori performing arts festival and competition for kapa haka performers from all of Aotearoa (New Zealand).
How often is the Te Matatini festival held?
The Te Matatini festival is held every two years in different regions of New Zealand. Authority (mana) is given to different tribes (iwi) to host the festival. For example, in 2017 the mana was given to Te Whanganui-a-Tara on behalf of the Ngāti Kahungunu (Heretaunga) region.