A little thought for my friends in Omaio...

About a month ago, while I was riding through the East Cape, I stopped in front of a marae (meeting house for maori people) and I could hear some music coming out of it. I stood outside on the road listenning to the music (thinking it was a CD!) when a woman standing at the door waved me to come in! I was so happy (and honored!) as the marae is a very spiritual and special place for maoris and they rarely let people (tourists) in other than in the touristy places where they have "marae tours"... a bit fake! Anyways, I was so surprised to find out that the music I could hear was actually live and sang by 40 people practicing for a big National competition for what they call the "Kapa Haka". A Kapa Haka performance is practised by 40 people in rows (20 men in the back and 20 women in the front) and "involves choral singing, dance and movements associated with the hand-to-hand combat practices by Maoris". It is very impressive to watch and also quite freaky when the men do their parts! It is basically a dance that they used to do before going to war to get them "pumped" to fight! Anyways, I thought I'd share this experience with you and at the same time send them a little thought as the big competition is this weekend! I also found out later on that the team that I had seen practice was the champion team from last year!! Good Luck again this year!!
Unfortunately I couldn't take any pictures (I would have felt very rude!) and I tried to get some from the internet...but can't figure out how! So if you are curious, go to www.flickr.com and type kapa haka in the "search for photos" section! Have fun!