🇳🇿 American Couple First Time Seeing Kapa Haka Champions: Te Maurea Whiritoi 2023

[@TeMaureaWhiritoi]

We love watching the world react to our videos! The shaking of the palms is called a "wiri". It represents different things for different tribal groups - for us it represents the life-force of haka and our deity, Tānerore, the god of haka. You can see him in the shimmer of light on a hot summers day. Thank you for sharing the love! ❤

[@TheDemouchetsREACT]

Thank you for sharing your culture with us!❤

[@TremayneNgatoa-ec2xj]

Man I did not think I would see someone explaining our culture to them.

[@TremayneNgatoa-ec2xj]

Also when us Maori are introducing ourselves we do something called a "Pepeha" for example: Ko "your mountain" te maunga Ko "your river/waters" te awa Ko "your boat" te Waka Ko "your marae" te marae Ko "your tribe" te iwi Ko "your dad's name" Toku papa Ko "your moms name" Toku mama Ko "your name" Toku ingoa I forgot the order pepeha's.

[@arikiturner3237]

The heat waves you see in the distance on a hot day is what we believe to be Tānerore and the wiri mimics his life force 🤝

[@Splendor64640]

Soooooo gooood❤️❤️❤️

[@kayrakei5881]

Kapa haka is basically like traditional performing arts or a musical telling Maori stories, issues past & present, passion, drama, acknowledging our ancestors and land, many things! It’s basically set into brackets like an entrance, a chant, a song, poi (the white swinging things you see the women doing), an action song, a haka and an exit. It takes a lot of energy-physical, mental and spiritual to be apart of kapa haka! Hope this somewhat helps to those that might need a bit of a quick understanding of it!

[@kayrakei5881]

@@UricHunt who do you think you are as A FOREIGNER thinking you know about MY culture! Whatever you’ve read or made up is absolutely false and you know it

[@mariakawiti4508]

From Aotearoa, New Zealand!!! My name is Maria Kawiti.. Kiaora Ra Korua.. Means 'Thankyou,' for your reactions to our Haka performances!!! Tau Ana!!! Awesome!!!

[@TheDemouchetsREACT]

kia ora!

[@Savvy218]

thank you for reacting to my school! we were so nervous and i’m so happy you enjoyed our performance 🎉❤❤

[@TheDemouchetsREACT]

Our pleasure! You all were amazing!

[@christinecleavest9099]

@Savvy218 my goodness, you all were amazing!

[@ShiaHarnett]

@@Savvy218 HBHS n HGHS on top❤️😇💪🏿😎

[@ShiaHarnett]

HBHS N HGHS ON TOP😎💪🏿😇❤️

[@shannonhines5599]

Your Native Dress is amazing😮💙💙🔥🔥🔥🔥your performance is on fire.

[@Maegaphone-ye7ic]

The most entrancing Kapa Haka groups put their souls into each performance. At my old school, one of the guys in the group would put so much force and passion into each movement, he would almost always leave with bloody scratches down the front of his chest. We had great respect for him. I still do, even though I haven't seen him in years. I was lucky enough to be the female caller for the school, and got to bring us on right after the haka with a waiata (sort of like a calling/song). Kapa Haka is a beautiful thing, so thank you for checking it out :)

[@tewaimarama2303]

That is one of the best performances I've ever seen!! This younger generation of haka performers...ka mau te wehi!! So near perfection 🥰

[@zealantis]

Our best hakas, songs, mau rakau, whawhai, etc. are in wananga. no recordings have been allowed since cameras came to protect its tapu and mana

[@chanellenepe7054]

In every māori child's life we all have performed on stage be it with our own whānau (family) friends group Kapa haka groups with other Māori that love kapaz like us it is a norm for us to perform in front of our peers and on stage we learn this from a young age ❤

[@ColvyMolvy]

Even more so when your nan is the kapa haka teacher 😂

[@crystalarnold3112]

Or koro

[@tati-marienightingale-skel6561]

The hands shake is called wiri. It represent the essence of life. Shimmering light off water, fluttering of leaves and more.

[@nadineaugust3594]

Thank you so much for reacting to our beautiful Maori culture from New Zealand/Aotearoa. Many blessings.

[@TheDemouchetsREACT]

Our pleasure!

[@tangaroapaora1129]

Please please do more Kapa Haka reaction videos. If you can find “Te Hekenga a Rangi Te Arawa Regional 2024 Full Performance” I guarantee you will feel the spirit of the Māori people.

[@rikiiburnett6324]

the photo he is holding could be someone from the group who has passed on this is in remembrance of that person, also possible that person was a hunter.This waiata (song) is dedicated to that person

[@lashanarangitaawa1201]

The young boy in the photo was a fella student, friend and a well respected person within his school. He was also apart of the rugby team who took out the world rugby champs. He sadly passed away at the beginning of last year this was the roopu’s way of farewelling him. A beautiful bracket❤

[@ItsMxlo]

@@lashanarangitaawa1201 yea Keaton

[@KiwiGlen]

Kapa haka is huge as we totally respect our Maori culture very moving when you see a kapa haka or or a haka live let's you know what our country is all about to everyone who visits

[@TheDemouchetsREACT]

Hey Kiwi Glen! We always enjoy learning about the Maori/NZ!

[@lauriegunn9636]

This was great. I had no idea what Kapa Haka was so looked it up. I usually read comments for context but no one is on yet, lol. I will have to find out more about this. I loved it.

[@TheDemouchetsREACT]

Thank you for learning with us!

[@christophertemoni8248]

Thanx Demo, luv ❤️ watch n guyz from Auckland,New Zealand, Arohanui.

[@pieman2656]

Thank you. Short and sweet, thank you for checking out part of New Zealand's culture.

[@taamecollier3088]

Part of Māori culture! Nz culture is different

[@shimeatokona7381]

​@@taamecollier3088 It sure is, I 💯% agree with you!!!! NZ culture is WAAAAYYYY different from our Maori culture of AOTEAROA!!!!

[@JayN-j8t]

As a NZ pakeha born in the 70s we used to take alot of trips to the marae and i used to love the welcoming karanga it was so powerful and beautiful ❤

[@marilynseptember21]

I love this reaction. I love the culture and one day home to visit New Zealand in my travels.

[@caroleking2236]

Awesome reaction guys 👏 I appreciate that you watched this with an open mind and tried to figure out meanings of things on your own, and a lot of the things you noticed were correct. Our women are just as fierce (they show the white of their eyes and protruding chin (pukana)), and well respected as our men (proudly standing upfront). The hand shaking is called ‘wiri’ which represents the life force that flows through us, carrying ourselves and all that have come before us. It shows we are alive connecting us to everything and doesn’t stop until we die. I hope you do some more kapa haka or even Māori artists. I’d love to hear your thoughts on ‘I Am’ by Stan Walker. Nga mihi ❤

[@TheDemouchetsREACT]

Thank you. We love learning about this culture. Somehow we are right about it most of the time 😅. Music gets flagged, but we heard the song after watching the movie, Origin. It’s definitely a song everyone needs to hear!

[@TheDemouchetsREACT]

Thanks for watching! Be sure to like this video, subscribe, and send in videos you would like us to react to: forms.gle/QKTdGbAWbfeGDoSf7

[@dorothyhickey8792]

That was a fabulous performance thanks for showing this awesome young group

[@TheDemouchetsREACT]

You’re welcome

[@SkittleBombs]

Awesome you found some more traditional stuff

[@nzhearty1043]

Their songs are from the movie The Greatest Showman. That's why they sound familiar. Men and women wiri, shaking of their hands, to give energy/ Mauri to show they're present... Ready for everything and anything. Tihei Mauri Ora

[@juanitapapuni1413]

Kia Ora from Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand 🇳🇿 Love this

[@erinspence4664]

The little white balls are called poi and they are crazy hard lo. You can get long and short poi and they are often used as percussion instruments. The "face" thing, with the eyes called pukana. The women will jut out their chin and the men will poke out their tongue.

[@TheDemouchetsREACT]

I would love to try to twirl the poi to see if I can find a difference.

[@earthakitt8665]

​@TheDemouchetsREACT you were wondering where they got their poi from, they tuck the strings either at their waist or lower backs

[@lailavisesio296]

Proud of our Maori Culture here in New Zealand! So beautiful 💕

[@sidknee4975]

This should also help. These are the categories when competing. tira (warm-up song), whakaeke (entrance song), waiata-ā-ringa (action song), haka (challenge), pou or mōteatea (old-style singing), poi (coordinated swinging of balls attached to cords), and whakawātea (closing song).

[@TheDemouchetsREACT]

Thanks!

[@gregoryrogers-h4j]

thank you for your kind words as a nz maori i cant find the words to tell you how much i love our culture and how proud of our people i am so much love to you and your whanau (family) welcome to our world

[@TheDemouchetsREACT]

❤️❤️

[@gregoryrogers-h4j]

i still think after 57yrs our wahine (women) are the most beautiful in the world and should be treated with love and respect and cherrished and treated like a natonal treasure

[@kuishortcliffe3745]

I agree

[@ayshawaetford7305]

The wiri is a side to side movement of the whole hand and is not a wriggling of the fingers. Different tribal groups have different styles of wiri. The wiri is said to represent the world around us, from the shimmering of the waters of a bright sunny day, to the heat waves rising from the ground to the wind rustling the leaves of the trees. Each tribal group comes from a unique environment and the different styles of wiri reflect this. The wiri is an integral part of Māori movement, seen in haka, as well as making the deceptive movements of Maori warriors, which is essential in the arts of combat.

[@shmeatanderson7163]

Kapa haka is like our opera , tells a story or has a theme

[@twistedkittenz]

the shaking of the hands is wiri wiri (the frequency at which you vibrate), the poi (ball on a string - used to be made of flax and a stone, but know wool and plastic, and of short or long lengths) is a tradional weapon for killing birds, lethal on the war grounds when made traditionally, and a graceful manner for which our women employed for which ever purpose at the time. the grass skirt is made of dried Harakeke, a type of broad strong flax grown here and makes fine linen or dried it hardens and curls.

[@eye.luh.chanel]

first song is a Maori version of Stand up beautiful performance also love the haka it talks about social media and phones i'm pretty sure love the peformances wish my group was that good Kia Ora (thank you) for watching the video too Kia Kaha koutou

[@michaelfield8519]

As a kiwi living in Australia Thankyou.. love it

[@TheDemouchetsREACT]

You are welcome.

[@izutsi3890]

The shaking of the hands is something called Wiri, it’s symbolic of the rays that emit from the sun. (In some Iwi (tribes) it also represents the wind) Both men and women do it, women wiri with their fingers together and the men wiri with their fingers apart.

[@twistedkittenz]

For us it is the frequency at which you operate

[@jaedaren7658]

I was told as a kid that it was to show that we are full of life and far from death

[@tresagielen4481]

Watch the movie : Convert. It’s about Māori culture snd NZ history

[@JessBorell]

Do not watch this movie

[@shimeatokona7381]

And the girls tuck their poi in the back And that look is a pukana woman don't stick out there tounge but the men do that's the only difference between the Pukana I'm a proud NZ Maori and it's amazing watching the world and reacting too our culture it's beautiful to see.... And yes the boy holding the photo passed "Moe Moe Ra" is our way of saying rest in peace be 1 with our Whenua "land" 💙💜 And I could watch Kapa Haka all night and day as well Thanks so much

[@TheDemouchetsREACT]

You’re welcome!

[@dominichubbard5610]

I'm proud of my country and language, I am Maori and from New Zealand

[@Kausion]

Think the harmony they used that you were thinking of were Calum Scott-Dancing On My Own

[@TheDemouchetsREACT]

Thank you!

[@karlnaden1042]

Yes my dear that is all you need thank you for liking our culture

[@EasternWilliams-lf8ul]

The correct pronunciation of what you call those little white balls are poi and how to correctly say it is like boy but replace the b with a P but is spelt Poi 👌

[@frankharris9601]

shaking of the hands represents the vibration of life , the wind , movement of life its called Wiriwiri

[@UrRaye]

I was raised in New Zealand, nd even tho im full blood asian, the maori culture i have been taught throughout my life here was truly amazing. I am so so soo proud of Maori culture finally being noticed and i will forever be glad of my maori whanau who have taught me the maori history.

[@joannemihinui4478]

Old songs very important to our people 😊

[@twistedkittenz]

kia ora, this is a tribal interpretation of their message to the people. the kapahaka (maori dances) and the waiata (song) develop over time, as this is how we pass history down to our mokopuna (grandchildren), with display and song, intense or funny. Haka is used for three things. 1 to pour heart and soul into a celebration 2. to pour our heart out as we tangiwai (mourn) 3 to show potential enemies or rivals how nuts we are and dont mess with us. This is often used at Marae, and a karangamai (women calling us on ) is the only reason we get to cross onto the marae - it pays to have a koha (envelope containing money - or kai (food)) to hand over as a show of good intention,

[@harleymuru2927]

Te Maurea Whiri Toi awesome Kapa Haka. The hand movement is called the Wiri … the energy.. the men do it also. My daughter is in this group they train very hard and are very committed and disciplined. Thank you for the your great comments you two are awesome🙌🏿

[@dmaburutse14]

Kia oral. im african living in new Zealand

[@shks4144]

Great performance from all the kapa haka ropu’s 💯👏🏽 Every Kura I went to growing up kapa haka was like part of our subjects if you was in bilingual unit you didn’t have a choice weather you liked it or not

[@JaayDawg74]

And these are only high school kids as well and the twirly things the girls use are called Pōi

[@arohaclay5364]

The "hand movements" (shaking of the hands) are called wiri (pronounced wee ree but roll the R) it allows us to tune into and feel deeply as we connect to the vibrations of the earth , nature and all our surroundings as children and guardians of the land , sea and air. I love watching your reactions to our culture. Thank you

[@raylenerehua-moore5180]

luv you guys❤, who feels it, knows the thought, ya'll know. You are so humble, beautiful brother and sister, arohanui(much luv)💞

[@chevydoitzKiwiVerrer]

Kia Ora from Aōtearoa🇳🇿 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@Aotearoa267]

Absolutely correct, we speak with our eyes. And through the generations. I knew when my parents looked and communicated, as my children know, as do my grandchildren.

[@tipenemokaraka-hiriwa8074]

Nga mihi aroha ki a kourua. Much love to you both for reacting to our school kids sharing our culture to the world at the national competitions. The struggle is real but we hold all that we have and a little more, never to fold and never to lose to the dark. Remain well.

[@paulawalker4902]

Beautiful looking couple. Love your guys reaction and so CUTE how yous always have matching tee-shirts haha. AROHANUI from AOTEAROA 😘

[@shaunblack3143]

Kia ora from Aotearoa New Zealand appreciate y’all checking out our culture. When the woman pop their eyes like that it’s called a pukana us men do the same thing but we poke our tounges out cheers guys. ❤

[@thorporter8319]

I performed for years and currently looking to get back into and to mix it up yes I’m very fareskinned haha (white) but it was how I was raised had to deal with a lot of frowns but hey I showed them in my love for the culture and my performance

[@tylerleilua]

New subscriber, love ya'll reaction !!!!

[@TheDemouchetsREACT]

Welcome to the family!

[@kmorkiwi7578]

Interesting to watch Americans see 'Maori culture' dance for the first time. Isn't it beautiful, graceful, proud integral to Maori people.

[@Boston1995-y9f]

Beautiful people and culture ❤

[@thorporter8319]

Each song or piece has a unique name a style to the performance , like a catergory system almost as each song has difference uses and applications to our culture for it be a tangi ( funeral ) birthday , war , celebration , remebering ancestors and old stories , romance and lullabies also and most foreigners favourite a haka or war dance , usually two to three types one being the use of body by men , second use of weapons and tools , and third could be women included and or their own using poi

[@zealantis]

The notes is also apart of our ancient traditions, this was for moteatea. Nowadays for these performances particularly, we are put into certain groups depending on your voice tone and range.

[@St4rOfD4vid]

I’m 8 years old and I in Kapa haha it is fun and I’m from new zelend

[@roimatacooper3415]

The hand thing is called a "Wiri", the shaking of the hands represent the vibrations that run through the earth and through all of us. The vibrations of life ❤

[@SaltwaterMamaSeven]

Brings the soul back to the lost xoxo

[@chantypeitcheva8829]

Wouah Magnifique ❤❤❤

[@jedipsy]

In regards to familiar melodies, kapa haka composers are well-known for taking small snippets, frames or melodies from famous music and incorporating them into their compositions. Waaaay back in the day, for our junior competitions in high school, we used a Bon Jovi tune 😂

[@awhinathan614]

I heard the shaking of the hands represents many things ; from the winds of Tawhirimatea blowing through the trees, showing you first one side of the leaf, then the other, to the good and the bad; life and death.

[@joannemihinui4478]

Guys just Wana say that the Harriette movie had me and my baby in tears my daughter sings that so g with so much soul guys 🎉

[@cumafua4207]

Im pacific island love it you should also react to some of hawaii culture and performances

[@TheDemouchetsREACT]

Send us links😊

[@paige6514]

Our Maori people from New Zealand are so talented! So proud to be Maori thank you for the reaction fam.

[@TheDemouchetsREACT]

You're welcome!

[@ginakapua095]

Nga mihi! im happy you liked it, means alot to us

[@meremeha-uelese1817]

Very proud of this group. They are high school students with the average age being 16. Mauri ora.

[@bernie66]

If you haven't seen Stan Walker's video I Am, please do so. The New Zealand indigious people have great voices. I enjoy your channel.

[@breeana6229]

you should react to Te Maurea Whiritoi 2022 i believe !! so good 🇳🇿❤️

[@janlyndon2944]

to see this live you wouldnt beleive the feelings you experience

[@UnknownTrapper-r8p]

Mr it hit different 😂 love from NZ gang

[@samoaalways685]

Please react to “Te Whanau O Te Maro Hauke”🥹 it’s the same thing but group of young kids competing. You’ll definitely be impressed by this!!!

[@peterteohaere4986]

They are mean for kids the lion king in Maori.

[@daeton_ml]

You should defo react to Te Puku O Te Ika A Maui from 2023 ITS BOMBBB

[@moanaleerare5143]

Kia Ora from Aotearoa. Loving this channel Sister I feel you ....Arohanui

[@raegenpio7497]

You guys should watch Te Matatini, a festival of the best of the best Kapa Haka groups in NZ

[@DorothyNgakuru]

Women are the key to life, women are sacred in our culture. We are above men regardless😊

[@tetuhi9789]

Can you please React to "TKKMONK 2021 nationals" it's a high school performance, fun fact they only had 24 performaners on stage (min amount your allowed to have perform in a competition stage ❤❤❤❤ love the reactions yous have great day or night ❤❤❤

[@shannonhines5599]

Awe Y'all are too cute 1:05 💙💙

[@juanitapapuni1413]

Everyone does the 'wiri' - shaking of the hands. It shows that you have life...

[@joannemihinui4478]

The haka when they did the hangman it's because we got people stealing our land whenua is land

[@zealantis]

ir maori familys, the women are the ones we are afraid of, all the aunties and grandmothers

[@goukhanakul]

It’s so crazy to listen to their koreo and somewhat understand. I’m a kanaka maori born on Hawaii island and can understand somewhat because of the similarities of their koreo and our ‘Olelo. Maybe it’s because of the koko of my maori and maoli ancestors but I love it.

[@zealantis]

Since ancient times we've always had ranks or positions in the lines. It doesnt work like the englishs, each position has a meaning. The man on the front left of the line must be who everyone lines perfectly with. Back in the day they werent allowed to turn their head so to straighten their lines/align they trained their perefereal vision. I was taught this ability at a young age, along with the reflexes aswell as sensing and attack from behind. Nowadays the lines have sort of different meanings for the positions, example, middle is the best performer. But these change from tribe to tribe, roopu to roopu, its usually pretty much the same thing tho.

[@maryannesmith1392]

Thank you for having a look into New Zealand’s culture. All nationalities embrace the Maori culture in new Zealand, as this is what our country is….

[@TheDemouchetsREACT]

You’re welcome

[@clemrota-tawha9011]

Bro you two don't need translations lol

[@rosek2064]

Tautoko te korero ❤

[@DezariahAitupaul-cy6pd]

the person holding the hod was a friend that passed away and they were technically saying rest in peace in maori

[@GeovanniWaipouri]

Y’all should give us a reaction on te koutu won’t regret🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@joannemihinui4478]

Matariki the maori new year ❤

[@joanne8349]

Basic explanation it is like when you see a marage rising up off the road on a very hot day it shows that everything is constantly moving hence the hands moving

[@EasternWilliams-lf8ul]

In reference to his repetitive hand gestures he is paying respect to the ones passed and gone above and to under the ground and our lands🔥

[@thehangmansdaughter1120]

Hello from New Zealand! You know you can come here and see the competition in person? We'd love to have you visit us.

[@ShiaHarnett]

Ik it's a beautiful song❤️. I go to the boys school, it's called Hamilton Boys High School and the girls go to Hamilton Girls High School. This is 1 of our school songs.❤️😇

[@ShiaHarnett]

You should react to the Hamilton Boys High Haka. Its a awesome piece of work. Ik it off by heart💪🏿❤️

[@CatherineAugust]

Kia Ora, You are both amazing I am just wondering, how you felt hearing Maori songs to english/american tunes accepting 100% your thoughts even if negative? Your visual reaction when you recognized the song inspired me to complete my final paper in a Maori performing arts degree on this topic. Thank you for considering my question

[@1hidda917]

There is a video of this haka group preforming with subtitles on it

[@DorothyNgakuru]

The story line is, we connected to our whenua ( land) first. We were here. Every single culture that occupied their land. Your ancestors connected and are embedded in the land. Your strength comes from this. Don't shy away and reclaim your culture and let your singing emitted your frequency which is connected to your ancestors. Head up and claim your identity. When I meet you I meet you and your whole lineage