Now that we have more little kiwi-birds here than ever, maybe someone can answer my question.
In the movie "Once Were Warriors", the youngest son is sent away to some Maori training camp, and an old teacher starts teaching him the chants and stances. In the middle of the movie, the kid takes the teacher's spear and starts vandalizing the place, followed by the teacher doing some cool moves on him and telling of the history of the spear and the martial art that scared the brits.
What was that spear called, what was the martial art called and are there any schools in NZ or elsewhere that teach this?
I don't own the movie and the hits I get on "Once were warriors" are just haphazard fan-sites 'n shit.
Thoughts?
Posted by Cartman (Member # 256) on :
The art is called Mau Rakau (which translates as "fighting sticks"), and the spear itself is a Taiaha. It's only taught on Mokoia Island, though, so the discipline is still quite traditional and not very well documented.
Posted by Balaam Xumucane (Member # 419) on :
It's more of a staff really, than a spear. Or at least that's what I think. They also play a part in 'Whale-Rider'. I'll ask my kiwi-bird about schools, etc. tonight.