Maori Dancing The word “haka” means to dance. Songs and dances of our people depict elements of nature and history. We use chanting and singing in rhythmical sounds with regular movements of the hands and feet with animated facial expressions. It is a powerful form of expression where Maori people demonstrate their thoughts, feelings, emotions. The dancing movements vary from being graceful to being aggressive. These dances are a form of visual storytelling and when there are groups of dancers, the sounds, rhythms, and singing produce a vibrant and visual feast of entertainment. Haka The most aggressive form of the Maori dancing is the warrior’s haka. The warriors use rhythmical movements using their hands and feet, protrude their tongue as an act of defiance, bulge their eyes, and use aggressive body gestures as forms of intimidation. It offers spiritual and emotional strength prior to a warrior entering battle. Poi and Stick Dances Other animated forms of haka are captured by cleverly twirling sticks and poi balls. The poi is a small ball at the end of a piece of string. They are held in each hand and used in graceful twirling movements to depict flying insects and birds. The sticks can be short or long and are thrown between players in time with the music and chants.