The History of Poi

Led Poi

Led Poi dancing is the art of swinging by hand, some suspended balls attached to a rope or cord, in a circular motion, creating patterns of light in the process. When we see present day Poi performers, it's easy to forget that Poi is actually an ancient, traditional performing art originated in New Zealand by the Maoris. Similar to juggling, it is enjoyed by thousands of people today as a performance art, exercise or hobby.

Maori Culture and Poi

In Maori culture, Poi (meaning either the object, the dance choreography or the music itself ) is normally performed by the female Maoris. Despite a lack of evidence, it is believed that Poi was first performed by Maori warriors to enable them to develop more flexible wrists in order for them to handle their hand weapons more efficiently.

The Maoris had short and long types of Poi. Short - with the string measuring about 10 inches, and long - with the string measuring about 30 inches. As well as the actual swinging of the Poi balls, the performance usually also included the telling of stories and singing, all choreographed together into a routine. Other traditional Maori disciplines, like the haka, waiata a ringa, and titi torea were also often fused together with the Poi performance.

How Traditional Poi Was Made

Traditional Poi balls were made from indigenous materials harakeke and raupo. The taura (cord) and the aho (ties) were made with two strands of stripped harakeke twisted together. The core was formed from the center of the raupo by tying a large knot at the end of the cord. You would then wrap moistened raupo strips around the ball and tie it off around the cord. The opposite end of the cord was usually adorned with a tassel known as a mukamuka. As well as the mukamuka, there were sometimes smaller decorations known as Poi piu, which were tassels fixed to the bottom of the ball itself. It often depended on regional and tribal traditions as to how the Poi were decorated.

One other type is called Poi taniko. The surface of the ball is constructed of delicately woven muka employing a design similar to a fishing net. These were often dyed yellow and formed a diamond design which was known as Te Karu o te Atua (the eye of God).

The Maoris started manufacturing and selling raupo poi to tourists at the start of the 20th century and developed quite a lucrative industry, particularly in the Rotorua district. Popular items with the tourists were jewelry items such as earrings and also buttonhole poi.

These days, modern materials are mostly used as the native materials are less durable and harder to source and manufacture. Modern Poi are made with foam or crumpled paper cores with fabric or plastic skins and woolen tassels. Traditional Raupo poi are still being made, however, they tend to wear quite fast and a lot of the bog like wetlands - where the raupo is found - have been drained, making the raupo harder to harvest. It would be extremely rare for a modern day Led Poi performer to ever use one of these traditionally made versions.

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