Poi E

Poi (performance art)

 

 

Poi is a performing art and also the name of the equipment used for its performance. As a skill toy, poi is an object or theatrical prop used for dexterity play or an object manipulation. As a performance art, poi involves swinging tethered weights through a variety of rhythmical and geometric patterns. Poi artists may also sing or dance while swinging their poi. Poi can be made from various materials with different handles, weights, and effects (such as fire).

 

Poi originated with the Māori people of New Zealand, where it is still practised today. Poi has also gained a following in many other countries. The expansion of poi culture has led to a significant evolution of the styles practised, the tools used, and the definition of the word "poi."

Māori culture

 

                                                      A dance using traditional poi at Tamaki Maori Village

 

In the Māori language, poi can mean the physical objects used by the dancers, the choreography itself, or the accompanying music. In Māori culture, poi performance is usually practised by women. Some legends indicate that it was first used by men to develop wrist flexibility for the use of hand weapons such as the club-like patu, mere, and kotiate, but recent academic study has found no evidence to confirm this story.

 

Māori poi come in two forms: short, with strings equal to the length of the fingertips to the wrist; and long, with strings equal to the distance from fingertips to shoulder. A performance includes storytelling and singing in conjunction with choreographed poi routines and is often presented alongside other disciplines, such as waiata a ringa, haka and titi torea (included in kapa haka performances). Poi feature in the 1980s hit song "Poi E".

 

Poi E - Patea Maori Club

5,378,265 views

Jul 7, 2006

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQLUygS0IAQ

 

 

From the wee town of Patea in Aotearoa (NZ) Poi E

 

classic music video from the 80's. Thanks C4 for bringing this video back to life, and making this the number one, one-hit wonder kiwi music video, of all times.

 

POI E - Patea Maori Group lyrics

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWqe1Q682no

 

The ball
Te poi

Hit my hit ball to be ready
Patua taku poi patua kia rite

Pa-para hit my ball e
Pa-para patua taku poi e

My ball is flying
E rere ra e taku poi porotiti

Sun sideways, disturbed by
Tītahataha ra, whakararuraru e

Roll it up and roll it
Porotakataka rā, poro hurihuri mai

Just like the tiwaiwaka e
Rite tonu ki te tiwaiwaka e

Defend, swing a
Ka parepare ra, pīoioi a

Slippery, that should be moving
Whakahekeheke, e kia korikori e

Climb up, please
Piki whakarunga ra, ma muinga mai a

My ball ball, my ball e
Taku poi porotiti, taku poi e

Poi is approaching
Poi e whakatata mai

Poi e, no different
Poi e, kaua he rerekē

Please join me
Poi e, kia piri mai ki au

Please, embrace me
Poi e, e awhi mai ra

Please, cover us
Poi e, tāpekatia mai

Please, our love
Poi e, ō tāua aroha

Please, tie it up
Poi e, paiheretia ra

Poi, my poi e
Poi, taku poi e

My ball flew away, from side to side
Rere atu taku poi, ti taha taha ra

Up down, my ball e
Whakarunga whakararo, taku poi e

My ball is flying
E rere ra e taku poi porotiti

Sun sideways, disturbed by
Tītahataha ra, whakararuraru e

Roll it up and roll it
Porotakataka rā, poro hurihuri mai

Just like the tiwaiwaka e
Rite tonu ki te tiwaiwaka e

Defend, swing a
Ka parepare ra, pīoioi a

Slippery, that should be moving
Whakahekeheke, e kia korikori e

Climb up, please
Piki whakarunga ra, ma muinga mai a

My ball ball, my ball e
Taku poi porotiti, taku poi e

Poi is approaching
Poi e whakatata mai

Poi e, no different
Poi e, kaua he rerekē

Please join me
Poi e, kia piri mai ki au

Please, embrace me
Poi e, e awhi mai ra

Please, cover us
Poi e, tāpekatia mai

Please, our love
Poi e, ō tāua aroha

Please, tie it up
Poi e, paiheretia ra

Poi, my poi e
Poi, taku poi e

Poi is approaching
Poi e whakatata mai

Poi e, no different
Poi e, kaua he rerekē

Please join me
Poi e, kia piri mai ki au

Please, embrace me
Poi e, e awhi mai ra

Please, cover us
Poi e, tāpekatia mai

Please, our love
Poi e, ō tāua aroha

Please, tie it up
Poi e, paiheretia ra

Poi, my poi e
Poi, taku poi e

Poi, my poi e
Poi, taku poi e

Poi, my poi e
Poi, taku poi e

My ball flew away, from side to side
Rere atu taku poi, ti taha taha ra

Up down, my ball e
Whakarunga whakararo, taku poi e

 

 

 

Poi e song

20,368 views

Sep 16, 2010

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFGGbq8EQH0

 

 

 

St Brigids Kapa Haka highlights 2010

Kapa haka is the term for Māori performing arts and means to form a line (kapa) and dance (haka).

It literally means 'group' and 'dance'.

 

Poi E - Patea Maori Club with lyrics

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5l-NUKYGaU

 

 

What is the meaning behind the song Poi E?

Written by linguist Ngoi Pewhairangi with music by Dalvanius Prime,

the song was a way to encourage young Māori to be proud of being Māori – in a format that young people were comfortable with. The two got together in 1982 and wrote 'Poi E' and two other songs in a single day.

Who sang Poi E in 1984?

Pātea Māori Club

"Poi E" is a New Zealand 1984 number-one hit song by the group Pātea Māori Club off the album of the same name.

What is Māori poi?

In New Zealand, they swing it! “POI” is the Maori word for “ball” on a cord. ... Today, the women dancers perform the Maori poi, a dance performed with balls attached to flax strings, swung rhythmically. Men used it for strength and coordination. Yes, the poi was also used as a weapon during a battle.