Maori TV brothers teach taiaha

PRESENTERS from Maori TV series Ahorangi - the Next Generation introduced the martial art mau rakau (to bear a weapon) to students at a Gisborne kura kaupapa last week.
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Three brothers known collectively as Te Rau (the blade of a weapon) o Ahorangi ran a three-day wananga in the handling of taiaha at Te Kura Kaupapa o Nga Uri a Maui in Nelson Road. The men set the tone for the wananga by teaching students preparatory skills in self-discipline such as learning how to be still. “We did not want to give them taiaha straight away,” said Tupoutahi Winitana. “We gave them some words, mostly based around history. The first part of the wananga was about giving them their space and vocal power, teaching them how to have a voice and that their voice can change the world. “We bring body, mind and words together.” The training builds students’ confidence, the words they learn invest the process with reverence and it connects them with kaupapa, history and their ancestors, he said. “I believe mau rakau should be part of their daily diet. You learn history and your Maori words and you get to take part in those ceremonies.” Moana Daniels, Manaia Harvey
Te Rau o Ahorangi use mau rakau to teach people how to heal themselves and to take care of their minds and bodies. “Maori love to move and feel. At its highest form, mau rakau was built to protect your tribe. We are a very competitive, expressive and passionate people. We like to nurture that behaviour. Mau rakau is able to cater to that. The teaching that comes with mau rakau involves self-discipline, self- monitoring and understanding where people’s mana begins and ends and where their friends’ mana begins and ends.” The men had to be careful about giving people taiaha and martial art skills because the collective memory of the 19th century New Zealand wars is too close and skills with the weapon might be used the wrong way, said Mr Winitana. “History is too close but I do believe mau rakau should be part of the curriculum. Mau rakau is excellent for improving short attention spans and it teaches kids to listen.” All Maori love mau rakau and haka but many Europeans are interested in mau rakau as well, he said.
Filmed and Edited by
Ben Cowper
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[@go1794]

Keep your culture alive well done

[@cordelsner]

So great 👍🏻

[@Scriobh]

Great stuff - love to see tradition and culture being not only maintained but taught.

[@MrRasZee]

wow a great message and some full on training

[@shaundouglas2057]

BLOODY BRILLANT! Keeps kids off their Iphones and maybe remind them that their is a big world out there, get back into it! Come to think of it theirs also a whole bunch of adults that should be doing the same thing.

[@jonellehoney8232]

Kia piua

[@hanigirlngapera7882]

wow thers boronia

[@tanacz5505]

Fill the parks the land everyday weekends boil up days.

[@hanigirlngapera7882]

this is my school

[@hecticuprising5229]

haunga teke

[@paulyb1399]

Get those kids out of the rain bruh

[@shaundouglas2057]

BAH!

[@roycehuepers4325]

Ya afraid to melt?
Rain in a tropical climate is extremely refreshing. At least here in the subtropical state of Texas