The Poi was used, many years ago, by the indigenous Maori people of New Zealand to increase their flexibility and strength in their hands and arms as well as improving coordination
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| The traditional poi (light ball made of raupo - swamp plant - attached to a flax rope, which can be either long or short) used in Maori action songs and dances originate from the ancient "Poi Toa".
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Poi Toa originate from the ancient "ki". These were small woven flax baskets used to carry a single Moa (large flightless extinct bird) egg. To aid the ease of carrying, two (or more) ki would be joined by a length of rope platted from plant fibres and slung over the shoulders or around the neck. The Poi Toa was originally used by the Maori women for keeping their hands flexible for weaving and by the men for strength and coordination required during battle. Poi is also used as a training aid for other ancient weapons like the Mere or Patu (Short club). Poi Toa constructions varied to a large extent, not only in ki weight and rope length, but also in design (with multiple ki and "tails") and decoration, hence the rise of the ‘Fire Poi’. In battle exercises, the "ki" is often heavily weighted with a stone, to increase resistance and power, with ropes one to five meters long. Poi Toa used in kapa haka (performing arts) and games have lightly weighted ki with ropes less than one meter long. These uniquely developed Maori implements have also been popularised around the world in the form of "fire poi", and are also used in aerobics classes and gymnastics disciplines. Designs such as Fire Poi, Tailed Poi, and L.E.D Poi to mention but a few are mesmerizing to watch and a skilful art to spin. These different designs of Poi are made from all manner of materials including aluminium, rip-stop nylon, cotton, Kevlar and many more. |
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