Originally, poi were most commonly made from harakeke (New Zealand flax, Phormium tenax) and raupō (Typha orientalis). Makers stripped and scraped flax to provide the muka (inner flax fibre), which was twisted into two strands to make the taura (cord) as well as the aho (ties).

Historically, poi were made from natural materials like harakeke (New Zealand flax), and raupō (bullrush). Learn about older poi in our collections, and explore the techniques and stories that are intertwined with this practice in te ao Māori.

Poi were made from flax blades, raupo, corn husks and core pith. Maori men used rocks (helping to build those muscles). Still today, the shape of the Poi doesn’t matter. It can be ball or egg shaped. Cord length came as 82cm (long poi), 30cm (three-quarter), 25cm (short poi).

Apr 30, 2013 · The POI was used, many years ago, by the indigenous Maori people of New Zealand to increase their flexibility and strength in their hands and arms as well as improving coordination. Wahine (female) dancers perform the Maori POI, a dance performed with balls attached to flax strings, swung rhythmically. Those pictured to the right are using ...

Traditionally, poi and tī rākau sticks were used by early Māori as a way to keep their hands and flexible for flax weaving and also as a training tool to build strength and coordination for...

Dec 23, 2024 · Poi is a traditional dance form that originated in New Zealand, specifically among the indigenous Māori people. It involves swinging and manipulating small balls or weights attached to flax strings in rhythmic patterns, often accompanied by music and singing.

Jun 13, 2022 · Poi have their own whakapapa, which can be traced to Tāne Mahuta, the guardian and father of the forests, Harakeke the flax and Raupō, the bulrush. As Tāmaki Makarau gears up for Matariki, we’ve put together an easy-to-follow guide to …

Jun 1, 2023 · These taonga are woven from the curled and dried leaves of harakeke (New Zealand flax) and occupy the space between the poi raupō and a rattle, with oral narratives strongly linking them to the practice of storytelling and traditional chants or mōteatea.

May 23, 2024 · Traditional Maori poi consist of two flax strings attached to weighted balls of moss and other materials, while modern poi are often made with synthetic materials, rather than natural ones. The strings are swung rhythmically while dancing or storytelling.

Pakoti is the God of Harakeke (flax). S kills developed while practicing Poi Toa were transferable to weaponry use and fighting techniques. Poi Toa constructions varied considerably, not only in ki weight and rope length, but also in design (with multiple ki and "tails") and decoration.