ACTION SONG …

There are many hundred action song groups active today. In the last few years, the number of active groups has probably greatly increased as a result of welfare activities, the Maori Women's Welfare League, ana the cultural movement generally. Most of the groups contain members with some thorough training, either through having belonged to older groups, or through having attended one of the Maori colleges.

Popular though the action song is, most performers are aware that it is not mere entertainment. It is possible to find self-expression in the action song, and perfection can only be attained to the extent that the body expresses feelings and ideas through the movements. It can only live as long as technique and criticism are provided by experts. For this reason competitions, properly judged, can be very important, as they stimulate interest in quality and enable experts to meet.

One problem for action song groups is the obtaining of piupiu. In many places the women make these locally. It is to be hoped that wherever the craft of piupiu-making is forgotten, tutors can be arranged to teach the local welfare league or other interested bodies.

Action song is a product of the twentieth century. It grew up through the example and teaching of Sir Apirana Ngata during the Kotahitanga (Young Maori Party) period. The first texts were printed in the 1908 Kotahitanga conference programme. As late as 1915, we understand, the action song did not form part

of the programme of the Rotorua Maori Concert Party, at that time showing only haka, poi, and what used to be known as ‘tableaux’

In 1917, however, Sir Apirana Ngata toured the entire country organizing entertainments to raise money for the Maori Soldiers' Fund. Action songs were a constant feature at these entertainments. After this tour the action song appears to have become thoroughly established.

The lightest part of the traditional Maori musical programme, the action song, is deeply impregnated with European influence. The catchy tunes are European, and the very regular formations, even the rhythm and the static drill-like movements. Yet it is, at the same time, very Maori in its light playfulness, the lilting cadences, and finally in the way the feelings are expressed through the body. The

THIS ARTICLE IS THE FIRST OF A SERIES DESCRIBING THE STATE OF MAORI DANCING TODAY.

Photos: J. Ashton

swinging of the arms, the swaying of the body and the finger movements go back to traditional Maori dances done by women (ngangahu, kopikopi).

With the action song, these movements are, however, for the first time meant to convey definite feelings and ideas: everyone knows, for instance, the movement accompanying haere mai: a swinging of the arm accompanied by a finger action, imitating a gesture of greeting.

Well-known actions are shown in the accompanying photographs, which were taken when Sue Keelan, of Hukarere College, performed the well-known action song reproduced below. These illustrations show the wide range of feelings expressed in the action song. It is a simple item; any Maori can perform it without much training; yet the actions are shaped by an authentic Maori spirit which otherwise might not so easily, under modern conditions, find free and artistic expression.

AROHAINA MAI

Arohaina mai e te Kingi nui
Manaakitia o tamariki e
Horahia mai ra te marie
Nui, ki te Hokowhitu-atu-toa.
Nga mamaetanga me nga pouri nui
Pehia rawatia ki raro ra e
Me anga atu ka karanga
Ki te Matua ‘Aue aroha mai’.
Nga hapu katoa o Aotearoa e
Tau awhitia ko taku rongo
Kia mau te tihei mauri ora
Ko nga tupuna hei tohu wehi e.

SHOWER DOWN THY LOVE

Shower down Thy love, O King of all,
Bless Thou Thy children,
Spread out Thy benign peace,
To the brave warriors of Tu the War God.
Press down and assuage
All the sufferings and grief,
Uplift the eyes and acclaim.
O Father, shower down Thy love.
To all the tribes throughout Aotearoa,
Cling to the fame you have achieved.
May the life principle be ever present
And may you ever honour and protect
The Heritage of your ancestors.