Taiaha - Maori stick fighting art

[major_motoko]

Has anyone seen the film Whale Rider? It's a beautiful film about the Maori, indegenous people of New Zealand.

 

When I was watching it the other day I was fascinated by the Maori stick fighting art of Taiaha. It was similar in some ways to Jodo in the way the stick was wielded. In the film they mention that there are Taiaha performing competitions in New Zealand.

 

If anyone is interested here is a link about Taiaha

 

http://www.tu.co.nz/taiaha.htm

 

And here is the official site of the movie. (I highly recommend going to see it )

 

http://www.whaleriderthemovie.com/

 

It's interesting that many cultures adapted their own fighting styles away from the China / Okinawa influences, and yet often came to produce similar arts. There are also indegenous martial arts of Hawaii amongst others.

[major_motoko]

Perhaps I should have put this in the Weapons section?

[monkeygirl]

Actually, since it's about a movie, it goes into the Martial Arts & Entertainment forum. I'll go ahead and move it there

[major_motoko]

well it's kind of both.. I mean I originally saw it in a movie, but the Taiaha itself is a traditional weapon art. Ho hum, looks like no ones really interested anyway.