Ovando School May Day

A Cultural Tour Around the World

May, 2013

Maori Battle Dance, New Zealand

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From Indonesia the class headed to New Zealand, where the guys gave us a hint as to what it would be like to face a bunch of Maori in battle. The dance is called a haka. As Madeline informed us, to intimidate their enemy, in the dance the Maori contort their faces, stick out their tongues, and show the whites of their eyes. Rhythm is made by slapping various parts of the body; "It is like an orchestra where the body parts are instruments." Could be scary, especially if unexpected...

Maori Battle Dance
Maori Battle Dance
Brady, Kyle, Abram, Carson, Will
Maori Battle Dance
Whooie, I'd Hate to Wake Up Looking at That!