NEW ZEALAND

WHY PEOPLE SPEAK ENGLISH IN NEW ZEALAND?

In New Zealand people speak English because in 1769 James Cook did several reconnaissances of New Zealand island’s. Later, this country was conquered by the European whalers. Due to this fact, New Zealan was a English colony until the 26th September 1907. Nowadays people speak English and Maori.

New Zealand is a wonderful country and I want to speak about the scenics arts, specifically, the kapa haka.


WHAT IS THE KAPA HAKA?

This term comes from the words kapa that means row and haka refers to a maori dance. The Kapa haka are the traditonal scenics arts of the maoris and this is their way to express their patrimony and cultural identity by means of the dance and the singing. This genre was created before the european conquest due to the influence of collection of daily maori activities although the actual genre is the result of European and Maori combination.

A kapa haka performance includes singing, dance and hand’s movements practiced by the ancient maoris. The performance needs synchronisation of action, timing, posture, footwork and sound.

The music and dance typical styles are used by kapa haka are:

-Tira waiata Whakaeke

-Haka Waiata-ā-ringa

-Poi torea Titi

-Pou o mōteatea Whakawātea

In these performances are used balls, ropes and sticks. The instruments that people used in this performance are guitars, the pütatara conch shell and body percussion. Finally, kapa haka is practiced by big groups dressed in neo-traditional Maori dress.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBp8pwQkZXM