MAORI MUSIC

Music, called waiata in Maori, is important to Maori culture, as it can express a person’s deepest feelings without using words. It can also communicate messages over long distances. It often uses heartfelt emotions from the composer, as is true with most music, including hatred, contempt, grief, happiness and love. The most common types of Maori instruments are wind instruments; some are made from types of conch shells found on New Zealand beaches (called pu tatara), while others are made from pieces of hollowed out wood (called pu kaea). Music is a large part of Maori celebrations, as it is in most cultures. It can celebrate visitors, request help, and invoke memories of special events. New music in the traditional Maori style is still being composed.