Adult Dancers Celebrate the Indigenous Culture of New Zealand
La‘ie, HI - July 15, 2008 – The ancient chants of Aotearoa (New Zealand) will fill the air on Saturday, August 9, as both local, national and international competitors grace the stage beginning at 9:00 am at the Polynesian Cultural Center's Ninth Annual Te Manahua Maori Cultural Competition. While the festival's name has changed, this enriching whakataetae (competition) is still marked by the harmonious melodies, soulful chants and moving dances. Beginning last year, the festival alternates between youth and adult competitions. This year, adults will take the stage, perpetuating the wairua (spirit) of the Maori culture.
Performers will captivate with their harmonized chants and traditional dances, which command attention. Groups will be evaluated in the non-aggregate categories of kahahu (attire), manukura wahine (female leaders) and manukura tane (male leaders). Performers will also have the option to compete in the whaikorero (speech competition) the night prior, on August 8, in the Maori village and the waiata tira (choral competition). Each group will also be judged in aggregate on whakaeke (entrance), moteatea (traditional chanting), waiata-a-ringa (action songs), waiata hou (original song compositions), poi (graceful implement twirling dance), haka (male posture dance) and their whakawatea (exit).
Rounding out this year's exciting festival will be performances by Maori groups from London and Australia.
"We are extremely proud to host the Ninth Annual Te Manahua Maori Cultural Competition. Performers from around the nation and world come to compete and to carry on the legacy of the unique Māori culture," said Rahira Makekau, organizer of the festival. "This event truly brings people from all corners of the world together who share a passion for the culture."
This annual festival is sponsored in part by the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority and the City and County of Honolulu. Adult admission to the Ninth Annual Te Manahua Maori Cultural Competition is $8 and $6 for keiki ages five to fifteen. Kama‘aina Annual Pass holders and keiki under five enter for free. For more information, call the Polynesian Cultural Center's ticket office at (800) 367-7060 or visit the PCC website at www.polynesia.com. In Hawai‘i, call (808) 293-3333.
Founded in 1963 as a non-profit organization, the PCC has entertained more the 33 million visitors, while preserving and portraying the culture, arts, and crafts of Polynesia to the rest of the world. In addition, the PCC has provided financial assistance to 17,000 young people from over 70 different countries while they attend Brigham Young University-Hawai‘i. As a non-profit organization, 100 percent of PCC's revenue is used for daily operations and to support education.
# # #
For media requests or photography, contact:
Amy Hennessey or Maria Quidez
808-531-0244
