What is the Pukana?

What is the Pukana?

Pukana – meaning to stare wildly or dilate the eyes, this is done by both men and women during dances or songs to emphasize certain words and their meanings and to add excitement to the performance.

What is the female haka called?

Ka Mate
The modern haka is even performed by women. ‘Ka Mate’ haka (Te Rauparaha haka), performed by the All Blacks, is the most well-known of all haka.

What is the history behind Pukana?

The origin of the art of pukana, the wild distorting of the countenance and glaring eyes seen in posture dancing is said to be traced to the koukou or owl. The owl had been disturbed and irritated by the restless fantail, a small forest bird that is ever flitting about, and so glared wildly at the harmless creature.

What does Whetero mean?

Also essential to the art of haka are pukana (dilating of the eyes), whetero (protruding of the tongue performed by men only), ngangahu (similar to pukana, performed by both sexes), and potete (the closing of the eyes at different points in the dance, performed by the women only).

Can kia ora mean goodbye?

Kia ora is used as an informal greeting throughout New Zealand. Use kia ora to wish someone well as a greeting or farewell, to say thank you, to affirm support, or to say a friendly ‘cheers’.

What is Kia Kaha means?

stay strong
Kia kaha is a Māori phrase used by the people of New Zealand as an affirmation, meaning stay strong. The phrase has significant meaning for Māori: popularised through its usage by the 28th Māori Battalion during World War II, it is found in titles of books and songs, as well as a motto.

What does Ka Mate mean in English?

The phrase Ka Mate, Ka Mate translates to “it was death, it was death” but the author is talking about his own death (no-one else’s)… he then continues Ka Ora, ka ora… now it’s life… now its life… basically celebrating the fact that he is still alive…