Traditional Poi and the Maori
There is much debate about the dates and circumstances of the arrival of the Maori people on the island they call Aotearoa (aka New Zealand). Legend says the Maori arrived from the mythical homeland of Hawaiiki, and was discovered by the mythical figure Toi. Many scholars believe that the Maori began to show up from the eastern Pacific about 1,000 years ago, give or take several hundred years.
The Maori were never defeated by the Europeans. Fighting between the groups ended in a treaty signed by all the Maori chiefs. There was much less bloodshed than in many other countries settled by Britain, but the Maori certainly suffered many injustices under the powers of the settlers, and there are ongoing efforts to find reconciliation and justice.
Today there are about 590,000 Maori, in a country of about 4,000,000. The Maori are making a heroic effort to keep their language and unique culture vibrant. The Maori language (Te Reo Maori) is making a comeback after a full generation of Maori were forbidden to speak it in public schools. It is now taught and encouraged in the school system, as are many Maori traditions. There are varying Maori dialects on different parts of the island, but there is no trouble communicating between dialects. This has made it possible for the Maori culture to thrive. Some believe that the culture of the Maori is becoming more inclusive than ever, as there is no longer fighting between tribes. Many Maori songs are being sung throughout New Zealand, when long ago Maori songs would have stayed within tribes or regions of the island.
Poi is part of the song and dance practices of the Maori, and is rarely performed on its own. There are a variety of poi practices: single short poi, double short poi, single long poi, and double long poi. The men once used poi to develop coordination for battle. Later, poi dancing was practiced by the daughters of chieftains, for a variety of reasons, including the development of poise and grace.
Traditional Maori poi consisted of a woven fabric wrapped around plant fibers to make a ball, attached to a cord with a tassel on the end. The Maori never used fire-poi.