The Maori Experience

This is Thursday evening 24 February 2011 in Rotorua, New Zealand.  Tonight I will experience the meal of the Maori called the Hangi.  First off the Maori are first settlers to New Zealand..coming by way of the Polynesian culture....there life expectancy today is only 46....very low compared to other New Zealanders with life expectancy of 70.  This is of course dependant by their culture and lifestyle.  This is one of their centers that is a meeting house and used only for events such as weddings, funerals, and tribal business.

The meal consumed this evening was prepared in this large oven.  It is steam generated and takes most of the day to cook.  It included, lamb, potatoes, pumpkin and squash.  Other items served were slaw, and a pasta dish.  Here is the oven...

The evening ceremony began with a calling by the Maori warrior to partake a meal....here is the calling....

We were then led into the dining room to partake of the Hangi.....and then following the meal were treated to a concert of Maori songs, chants and the stirring haka...which is the chant/dance performed with the warriors showing their strength and often using gestures and facial expressions to scare....I will let the pictures describe the scene....

And more dancing....

Check out these facial expressions....

Okay....that is it for today....tomorrow....off to Auckland....