The Poi, originally used by men to supple their wrists as a part of weaponry training. There are many different stories behind poi and its origins, many different First Nations people around Aotearoa hold different oral histories behind how poi were originally utilised.
By the 1800’s the Te Arawa women of Rotorua would use poi to entertaining guests to the area. Since then poi has evolved from being made of Muka (flax fibre) & Raupō (bulrush) - to the modern Poi of today which is made of plastic, wool and sponge as modern day materials help the poi to last longer.
Poi movements and beats - along with body movement help depict our stories and legends. My evolution of Poi depicts only some of the many types of traditional Poi.
“I waenganui pū harakeke ahau Whakarongorongo ana ki ngā hau Oho ana tōku wairua, oho ana tōku wairua, Ki ngā takawirihanga o te poi E mireirei ana ka toko Te whakaaro “i ahu mai koe i hea”?”
“From within the flax I hear the wind My spirit is awakened, By the twirling of the poi It’s movement defiant. The thought is posed From whence did you come?”
- Written by Te Morehu Piwai Tuhua