If you love FMA in Colorado area..

[haumana2000]

Komusta ka, and Aloha nui!
Our Pinoy/Pacific cultural Organization is hosting it's first family gathering and fundaiser 2 day gathering in Pueblo, Colorado June 12th and 13th 2004.

**All proceeds go to benefit our (n/p) youth cultural empowerment programs for islander families.

Every one is welcome to come and share their arts and spirits as we get together to train, sweat and bruise! On tap right now we have some brothers slated to share Malabar Kuntao Silat, Silat tongkat, Doce Pares, Dekiti Tirsia, Arnis Melayu, Inosanto blend, and South Pacific Styles as well!

Nothing formal, Share what you want,All are welcome, check your ego at the door, but bring your love for S.E. Asian and Pacific martial arts!

Let me know if your in the area, we'd love to have you in this first of what we hope will become an annual event!
(719) 821-3251 (no sol rosenburg crank calls either darnit!)

Salamat, Mahalo, thank you!

[dosmanos1]

Hey, is that Maori on your sig?

Kamusta/ Kia ora,

I just joined this discussion forum and am enjoy reading through a lot of the threads concering FMA.

Are you Maori? The reason I ask is that having seen the films Whale Rider and Once Were Warriors, I was very impressed with the use of the Tai'aha and how this weapon was used against the British when they first landed in Aotearoa or New Zealand. I've always been intrigued with the Pinoy/Poly connection when it comes to martial arts.

Having never seen or been exposed to Maori culture prior to these films, I was very taken with these cultural arts and was wondering if you practice and train in the use of the Tai'aha.

Maraming Salamat

[haumana2000]

Kia Ora and Mabuhay! Actually I am Filipino and French Polynesian on one side, and hispanic on the other talk about confused! I have been studying the Pacific Island Malayo Polynesian ties for many years now, and having grown up and lived in Hawaii, and the Mainland has provided me opportunity to study the use of many Polynesian Weapons. I have practiced Taiaha and some Mau rakau , though there are few here in the states that teach it openly. One Instructor whom I know of is very close to one our elders in our Pacific Island group. He is based out of Phoenix AZ, and his name is veryn berryman. He is an ex member of the Polynesian Cultural Center in Laie, and received his Kaumatua status under Dr. Pita Sharples of Nw Zealand. I used to generally perform the Whaka Atu Ranga or Warrior Challenge before haka performance. Many will tell you it is called "wero" But as Mark Clawson one of the Instructors at the center states, "wero is sacred and can only be done on the marae." I have written the first work on the Pacific Island Martial tradition called TOA Contrasts in the Island Warriors. But sadly have put publication on hold out of respect for the elders of the Lua in Hawaii who have a work on Lua forthcoming soon. As far as technical attributes, the biggest factor in The taiaha besides Mana (spirit) is Karakia (prayer) and Footwork namely the Whakatuwaewae' it is a stomping action opf the foot in conjunction with a swing of the taiaha that sends the mana out through the body of the weapon. The body mechanics necessary to swing it in a propeller like motion are phenomenal, and unlike the robotic movements of karate form weaponry. In Fact years Ago, Dr. Sharples went to Japan and swept the Bo staff competition division with his taiaha interpretation. Also, if you want to know more on the short weapon connection, Ray Floro, has also had the opportunity to study Mau Patu (short Club) and highly respects the capabilities of this Maori weapon.

Cheers, and Maraming Salamat.

[dosmanos1]

Interesting info and thanks! I chatted with a Maori fellow from New Zealand who studies FMA as well as Mau Rakau and he says that there has been a tremendous resurgence of Maori culture and arts (te reo Maori, Kapa Haka and Mau rakau) in the past 50 years in NZ. However, he says that to learn these arts, you must learn the Maori language and culture. Other than on the Marae, training in the use of the Tai'aha is few and far between. He mentioned that there are a few places in Auckland one can go and learn these skills. I don't know if there a lot of Filipinos in New Zealand, but I think this would be cause for a great cultural exchange if you ask me.

Thanks again for your correspondence. If I ever visit Colorado, I would love to come and train with you folks. It sounds very interesting.

Salamat

[haumana2000]

Cool brah, We'd love to have ya!

[pukenga]

Kia ora

I may have missed the boat on this one, as I see these were posted a long time ago! Just thought I would add my little bit to the discussion, as I am a practicioner of mau rakau, and have been for 20 years. Just interested in the discussion and the cultural exchange of ideas.

[pukenga]

To Haumana

Just read your post on the martial arts sight, and thought it was interesting, your background in Pacific styles of martial arts. I have been a practicioner for 20 years (mau rakau) and am involved in the performing arts (kapa haka) here in NZ. Your book sounds interesting. I am one of P Sharples original students, and have studied other styles as well.

Just thought I'd drop a line to see how your research is progressing and maybe learn something about FMA. This is something I know little of, but am interested to learn about.

[dosmanos1]

To Pukenga: Maori Martial Arts

Kia ora and Kamusta Pukenga,

No worries about the late reply. I actually get pinged via e-mail whenever someone replies to my thread (old or new).

Yes, I am interested in the stick fighting arts of the Maori in New Zealand.
I was very impressed with the Tai'aha in the films I mentioned above (especially Once Were Warriors) and would like to know more about the Polynesian arts. I have also read about Pita Sharples his contribution to preserving Maori culture in NZ.

I take it that you are from New Zealand having practiced mau rakau for that long period of time. I chatted with some Maori practitioners of the Tai'aha who are also studying Eskrima stateside. I expressed my deep interest in their cultural arts, but they gave me the impression that you must be able to learn Maori and be rooted deeply in the culture as it is taught mostly on the Marae (please correct me if any of this is incorrect).

In that same vein, I was wondering if there was a sizeable Filipino community in New Zealand and if our cultural arts are being taught there as well. I would imagine a great opportunity for a great cultural exchange if this were so.

Salamat,

Dosmanos1

[pukenga]

Mau Taiaha

Kia ora e hoa

I live in NZ and am unsure of the size of the Fillipino community, and whether or not the arts are practiced here (publicly at least). Mau rakau does not have to be practiced on marae, and is generally open to those willing to learn and abide by the ettiquette. Each practicioner and school differ in their approaches, and most of the schools in NZ are non-professional and frown upon any forms of payment. The schools are mostly informal gatherings of people with most being accessible to non-tribal members, not the case in the times of our ancestors.

Mau rakau (taiaha) takes many forms, I guess like most martial traditions. There are some that have quite deep philosophical and spiritual roots and requirements full of allegorical truths. Some have very little of this, and are dedicated to combat, and others still are almost soley ritualistic (ie only teach wero and other such ceremonial functions of the art).

As for mau taiaha in films, I am not sure that these adequtely convey the true essence of the arts as fighting styles. Some forms of taiaha are very different from some of the eastern arts in style and application, yet there are of course may similarities as well.

Most of the older styles of mau rakau do not have a syllabus as such, but have fundamental components the comprise the framework of a sylabus.

I will look into what the Fillipino community here might offer, as I am very interested in learning more. My knowledge of your arts is very limited.

Thanks for the reply

[takirau]

mau taiaha/patu

I've just read your "thread" and its good to hear from people interested in Maori weoponry. If your interested here is a little bit more info...
Mau Rakau is the maori term for any of the traditional weoponry, mau meaning control and rakau meaning Stick. when talking about a specific weopon it becomes mau taiaha, mau patu etc. The main elements in mau rakau are Ahai = postures/stances, poua = strikes, karo = parries/blocks/counter moves, takahia = footwork (very important if you have no armour!), piu rakau = swinging/manipulation of weopon, and karakia = prayers/meditation. Along with these is a quite stingent etiquitte system which is very important, not just culturally, but because these weopons are quite lethal even though made from wood or stone.
One of the reasons mau rakau is so effective is because it is actually very symplistic and once you stop hitting yourself the speed with which you can block and strike are awesome. (simplistic does not mean easy).
i hope you found this interesting, i look forward to reading more from your end!