Huki Is Back: Crafting Costumes for the Long-awaited Return
As the saying goes, “It takes a village to raise a child,” and this couldn’t be truer for the making of the Huki costumes. At the heart of this creative journey is Jesse Allred, the seamstress supervisor at the Polynesian Cultural Center. Despite having no formal...
Discover the Māori Legend of Rātā and the Enchanted Tree
Note: Different Māori communities have varying adaptations of this legend. We respectfully submit a version based off of Chapter 7 from the 1855 publication POLYNESIAN MYTHOLOGY & ANCIENT TRADITIONAL HISTORY OF THE NEW ZEALANDERS AS FURNISHED BY THEIR PRIESTS AND...
Māori Culture: Act 3 of HĀ: Breath of Life
“In the Land of the Long White Cloud, Aotearoa, every breath is new life. Seasons change, the winds blow, and family’s love lets the child rise high, look far, dream big. Tomorrow is coming, Mana, and you must run to meet it. Soon you will be a man.” -Excerpt from HĀ:...
Māori Language: Origins, Meaning & Cultural Legacy
This week’s blog honors the beautiful Māori language. Originally shared with staff and volunteers at the Polynesian Cultural Center in the Fall of 2022, these historic words of revered Māori leaders were compiled by Tainui Johnston, who serves in the Islands of...
Recent Comments