Today only some of the people from Te Whanau Raukura group came to Panmure Bridge School and performed for us. While they performed that also shared some information that we could learn from about the Maori culture and they told us about the weaponry and the tools that they used for dancing. The first thing that they told us about is conch they used it as they entered the hall and told us that it was used to welcome visitors but they used it to enter. the next thing they told us about was that taiaha it was a weapon that they used to kill with. The weapon consisted of a carved on face with a tongue sticking out this part of the weapon was used to intimidate and there was a feathered part warped around the end that was used for distraction. A Poi was used by males to increase their flexibility, build co-ordination and upper body strength for battle, but as the Maori culture grew, it then became a female traditon as a form of comfort or welcoming. The next Item that was introduced was the Taiaha. The Taiaha was used in war. The feathery part of the Taiaha was used as a distraction, so taht they could use the would to bruise the enemy. As a gift in return the boys from PBS Kapa Haka group, peformed a Haka in return. After this Peformance, Becca, from the Kapahaka group, came into our class-room and taught us a game called Pukana.
