MEANING IN HAKAS
HOPES AND ASPIRATIONS TRADITIONS OF MAORIS “These weird cries that you hear, the glistening eye and (lie protruding tongue, the stamping of feet and 1 tin swaying bodies are the outpourings of tin Maori soul," said Sir Apirana Ngata at O'taki at the conclusion of a programme of Maori dances and action songs The pakeha, he said, could not understand them, just as the Maori failed to understand why the Scotsman thrilled to the skirl of the bagpipes. Every word, every gesture, and every facial expression of the Maori when he performed the liaka had a meaning of its own. li was not meant to entertain or to create amusement for the onlookers. It was the means of expressing the hopes and aspirations of the race, and of living again the glories of the past. The Maori .soul was steeped in tradition, and the expression of his racial emotion was his very life. The pakeha should try to understand' this and not think that be was merely watching an entertainment.'
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Bibliographic details
Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 18973, 25 March 1936, Page 14
Word Count
173MEANING IN HAKAS Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 18973, 25 March 1936, Page 14
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