This morning we visited the Waimangu Volcanic Valley and learned about the natural geothermal pools and geysers. The valley was created when the volcano Tarawera erupted, destroying all plants and animal habitats. The valley has since been regenerated and is now the only geothermal system in New Zealand that has not been altered by mama activity. Later that night we visited a Māori village and learned about many cultural practices. The first thing we learned was Poi which is a type of dance that uses balls swinging on the end of strings to create a rhythmic sound. This was actually quite difficult and the women who demonstrated made it look so easy. We then learned about some of the games that Māori children play when they are young to help with motor development and reflexes. We also learned about the kids of plants that the Māori people use for medicine and in their foods. After that a performance was put on for us of the Haka which is a dance that is supposed to intimidate opponents. It was interesting to see how they weaves their culture into a tourist attraction. Even though it was very tourist based, it didn’t seem like they resented it or felt taken advantage of. They genuinely want to teach tourists about their culture and enjoy showcasing it. Something the chief said at the end was: “We are not doing this for your entertainment but for your education”. The Māori have a culture that they should be very proud to be a part of and I feel lucky that they were willing to share it with us.
