©KAHURANGI NZ MAORI DANCE THEATRE 2005 PEOPLE OF THE PACIFIC STUDY GUIDE PEOPLE OF THE PACIFIC Study Guide Foreword............................................................................................................................ 2 I. Kahurangi Maori Dance Theatre of New Zealand................................................ 3 1. ABOUT THE COMPANY ........................................................................................ 3 2. ABOUT THE PERFORMERS.................................................................................. 3 3. ABOUT THE PRODUCTION.................................................................................. 4 4. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES....................................................................................... 4 II. Suggested Study Activities .................................................................................. 5 BEFORE THE PERFORMANCE ......................................................................................... 5 GEOGRAPHY...................................................................................................................... 5 LANGUAGE ARTS .............................................................................................................. 6 SOCIAL STUDIES.............................................................................................................. 6 HISTORY ............................................................................................................................ 6 MUSIC................................................................................................................................. 7 ART ..................................................................................................................................... 7 III. Teacher / Student Resource Information / Appendix..................................... 8 PEOPLE OF THE PACIFIC ............................................................................................ 8 INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................ 8 THE ISLANDS OF POLYNESIA INCLUDED IN THE PERFORMANCE .................. 8 Acknowledgements and Credits ................................................................................... 20 References ....................................................................................................................... 21 WEBSITES.................................................................................................................... 21 LITERARY RESOURCES.............................................................................................. 21 © KAHURANGI NZ MAORI DANCE THEATRE 2005 PEOPLE OF THE PACIFIC STUDY GUIDE MUST BE USED FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY NOT FOR SALE 1 / 23 ©KAHURANGI NZ MAORI DANCE THEATRE 2005 PEOPLE OF THE PACIFIC STUDY GUIDE Foreword It has been said that in some ways you are like all other people, like some other people and like no other person. Like you, for example, most Polynesians would cry at a funeral, laugh at a good joke and become irritated if bothered while trying to go to sleep. Love, anger or fear is found to some degree in all humans. Desires to be accepted and to have peace of mind are universal. However, different people possess different attitudes and values and have distinct patterns of behavior. The following material has been compiled as a Teacher Resource Unit to be used at all levels of the education curriculum. The aim of this unit in conjunction with a one hour Kahurangi school presentation is to provide an insight into the Maori, the indigenous people of New Zealand, and their Polynesian relatives, hence contributing to the development of cultural sensitivity as well as enhancing and broadening students’ experiences of other cultures. How shall we account for this (Polynesian) nation having spread itself to so many detached islands so widely disjointed from each other in every quarter of the Pacific Ocean?....is by far the most extensive nation on earth (Captain James Cook, 1778, on his arrival in Hawaii) 2 / 23 ©KAHURANGI NZ MAORI DANCE THEATRE 2005 PEOPLE OF THE PACIFIC STUDY GUIDE I. Kahurangi Maori Dance Theatre of New Zealand 1. ABOUT THE COMPANY The Kahurangi Maori Dance Theatre of New Zealand was established in 1983 in Hastings, New Zealand, to revitalize the ihi or life force of Maori culture and to create cultural, educational and employment opportunities for young Maori people. The company has performed over 2,000 concerts in seven countries, including two command performances for Queen Elizabeth II. The company was founded by Tama Huata, to nurture a group of Maori youth in cultural activities. This became the basis for the foundation of the Takitimu Performing Arts School and its Bachelor of Maori Performing Arts Degree, which was the first degree of its kind to be offered in New Zealand. 2. ABOUT THE PERFORMERS Graduates from the Takitimu Performing Arts School are offered places in Kahurangi. The remaining positions are open to the public to apply for; however applicants are made aware of the commitment and training required to fill a position. Therefore, all youth intending to join Kahurangi participate in a two- week summer school program before final selection. Performers undertake vocal training; acting and improvisation classes; Wananga (traditional spiritual and cultural training); aerobics; contemporary, traditional and modern Maori dance; and movement techniques. Additionally, each performer learns over 100 songs and dance routines that are committed to memory and presented repertory style in school and theatre performances. 3 / 23 ©KAHURANGI NZ MAORI DANCE THEATRE 2005 PEOPLE OF THE PACIFIC STUDY GUIDE 3. ABOUT THE PRODUCTION Kahurangi (a cloak from Heaven), brings to life the heritage of the Maori people through its vivid repertoire of tribal music and dance. Wearing hand-crafted regalia and brandishing taiaha (Maori weaponry), the young men perform fierce war dances. Maori women dancers gracefully twirl poi (a ball on the end of a string which depicts a bird in flight) in intricate patterns. In addition to Maori dances, the presentation features the songs and dances of other Polynesian Islands including Tahiti, Hawai’i, Samoa and the Cook Islands. Audience interaction and a touch of humor highlight this enthralling introduction to an ancient South Pacific culture. 4. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES a. To develop cultural sensitivity through the medium of song, dance and interaction. b. To promote an appreciation of Maori arts and cultural diversity c. To provide a positive interaction between the artists, their work, staff, students and attending school community. d. To develop an awareness of the geographic boundaries and locations of the Pacific Island nations. 4 / 23 ©KAHURANGI NZ MAORI DANCE THEATRE 2005 PEOPLE OF THE PACIFIC STUDY GUIDE II. Suggested Study Activities BEFORE THE PERFORMANCE Students should be prepared in advance of the performance. If this is part of an on-going unit about South Pacific Cultures the students will find the performance will bring their studies to life in a meaningful way. If it is not part of a current study then it is particularly important that students be made aware of where the performers come from and a bit about the culture. Teachers will find the information in the resource section helpful and may select from it as appropriate for the age and level of their students. In addition, some of the following questions may be used as a guide before the presentation. There should be follow-up discussion after the performance. • In what ways are the dances similar to dances you do? • How is the music similar to the music of culture? • How is the music different? • What patterns did you see in the dancing or in the clothing? • What patterns did you hear in the music? • How is the traditional South Pacific lifestyle different from your lifestyles? In what ways is it similar? • Are you able to determine the roles of the men and women and boys and girls in these cultures, from the performance? • What are some customs of the Maori and other people of the South Pacific? • What was your favorite part of the performance? Why did you like it? GEOGRAPHY Locate and draw a scale map of he Polynesian triangle in relation to the equator. Map the distances between each of the islands. Discuss and suggest factors which may have contributing to their existence and location. Locate and name of the capital of each of the Polynesian Island nations. 5 / 23 ©KAHURANGI NZ MAORI DANCE THEATRE 2005 PEOPLE OF THE PACIFIC STUDY GUIDE LANGUAGE ARTS What is the first language spoken on each of the Polynesian Islands? What significant historical or political events have occurred that may have impacted on the first languages of Polynesia? Compare and note the similarities of the languages used between each of the islands. Is the native language of each culture spoken by all generations? If not, are there any distinctive trends or factors explaining this? How many different words and phrases can you learn? Make a list. SOCIAL STUDIES Choose one of the Polynesian cultures to study and do the following studies: a. Describe in detail the proceedings of a sacred ceremony b. Does this culture practice indigenous traditions or customs? If yes, how have these traditions and / or customs been affected by foreign influences? c. Discuss with your peers the changes you would need to make in order to live amongst the culture you have chosen. d. What education