New+Zealand


 * New Zealand (Maori): [[image:http://www.doreebonner.co.uk/upload/images/dbi_flag_newzealand.gif width="235" height="165" align="right"]] **

The Maori people are originally Polynesian people, as such, the music of the Maori are very much influenced by Polynesian music. The music of Maori are most commonly sung, but the predominant aspect are wind instruments and strucked instruments. For example the Koauau, a small flute made of bone is very important for the Maori as they believe it has power over the affections of women. The Maori also has a class of instruments that can be blown like a trumpet and a flute. Struck instruments are also very important as a form of Maori songs called “action songs” is loud and strucked instruments are deliberately put in there. It was a bad omen for a song to be interrupted, so singers in groups would cover for each other while individuals took breath. It was missionary influence that led to the harmonization of modern Māori music. In the 20th century, Sir Apirana Ngata, a New Zealand politician, virtually invented the Action songs to fit in and spread Maori music to contemporary audiences. Ngata, Tuini Ngawai (a songwriter) and the tourist concert parties of Rotorua developed the familiar performance of Maori music today, with sung entrance, poi, haka ("war dance"), stick game, hymn, ancient song and/or action song, and sung exit. The group that performs it is known as a //kapa haka//, and in the last few decades, competitions within //iwi// (tribes) and religious denominations (notably the //Kotahitanga// sect) regionally and nationally, have raised their performances to a high standard. The music of Maori is not at a danger level like their Australian counterpart, but they are in danger, but no worries, the music of the action song would keep it alive. media type="file" key="Poi E - Patea Maori Club.mp3" align="left"

- by Viet