AY Honors/Māori Lore/Answer Key

Poi dance, by Manutuke School at Hopuhopu, New Zealand, 2003

Poi is a form of juggling 'Impartial Art' (Finnigan, 1992) with balls on ropes, held in the hands and swung in various circular patterns, similar to club-twirling. It was originally practiced by the Māori people of New Zealand (the word poi means "ball" in Māori). Women and men used it to increase flexibility, strength, and coordination. It developed into a traditional performance art practiced mostly by women. This art, in conjunction with others including waiata a ringa, haka and titi torea, make up the performance of kapa haka (Māori culture groups).

See also

• Fire dancing
• Juggling
• Circus skills
• Glowsticking
• Diabolo

References

• Finnigan, Dave (1992). The Zen of Juggling. Human Kinetics Europe Ltd. ISBN-10: 0961552158 & ISBN-13: 978-0961552152

External links

• Maori.org.nz Traditional Māori poi performance
• Home of Poi One of the largest and most influential poi communities in the world.
• Spherculism~ Advancing the moving arts
• Tribe.net's Art of Poi Forum, photo gallery, and event calendar.
• Fire Poi World-wide fire poi trainers & performers.
• PlayPoi Poi website featuring videos and photos, both artistic and instructional
• Do More Poi Poi Lessons, Forums, Funkiness.
• Poi Poi Tuition Resource Downloadable Poi lessons, and an active poi community
• Research in New Zealand Performing Arts - a free online research journal that discusses Maori music and related performing arts.