Captains Log. Star Date 21.10.05 Last night we went to a Maori night in a village, it was really really good! We started off in the waka (coach ,although the maori word is actually canoe, as this is how they got from village to village in the old days) where we were told about the protocol of entering a marae (village) We had a really lively, (crazy maybe) bus driver who made us all row on teh way to the marae and shout "huh" on each stroke. We had to appoint a cheif to lead us into the marae and a Belgian guy was chosen as no one volunteered. When we arrievd we had to wait for the welcoming tribe to send out a te wero (challenge of peace), this meant a warrier came out and did a haka, think all blacks before rugby, we wernt allowed to smile, laugh, make faces etc or this could be taken as a challenge! The warrier went through some intimidating gestures and movements with his Taiaha (spear) it was actually quite scary (or would of been back in the day anyway!) He then placed the Teka (peace offering, stick or feather or leaf) for the cheif to pick up (if he had of stomped on it it would of meant war!) which meant we came in peace. In order to enter a Maori village you have to have been welcomed, with the Karanga, this is a call from the eldest woman in the tribe, and until then you cannot enter the marae. We went into the marae and the Tangata Whenua (people of the land) were singing, playing games, practising with weapons and reciting chants, it was lashing down with rain at this point and they were all in pretty much bare skin! They had tattoos on their faces like they would of in the old days, the guys cover their faces, the girls just their lips and chin. From here we went into the Wharenui (big house) No women were allowed in the front row, this is because should fighting break out the men would be the protectors on the front row. The men make all the Whaikorero (speeches) and then the Hongi (pressing of noses) is performed by cheifs to seal the bond of freindship between the two cultures. The Tangata Whenua performaed a show for us, including a haka which was the best one we think, and they told us about the weapons and instruments they used. We then went into the wharekai (food house), where we ate a really nice slap up meal cooked in a Hangi, in which the food has been under the earth on hot rocks for three to four hours. Before eating the Maori blessed the food with a Karakia (prayer) giving thanks for it etc. The food was really nice, we were sat with mainly Americans, and they were nice too! After this was the Poroporoaki (closing ceremony) where there was more Waiata (song) and whaikoreo (speeches) before a final waiata where the whole room had to stand up and link arms together and sawy to the music, I got caught inbetween two flows and kept bashing into people! We then got back onto our Waka adn headed home, this time everyone had to sing a song from their country! It was funny, incase y were wondering the Brits went for the safe choice of the Beetles! : ) It was such a fun night, and really one of the best things we've done since being here. Photos didnt come out that well because it was quite dark inside, but you get the general idea! KIA ORA! Over and out xxx