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| Amanda, Me, and Sarah. |
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| Ariel and me with our Moko |
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| Tiana, Marlee, Me |
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| Our Attempt to do the Haka Face |
Seriously people, this was the coolest experience of my life. There is something about any Polynesian Culture that is just so intriguing. I had the opportunity to be apart of the BYU Lu'au this year. I signed up to do dances from the New Zealand (Maori) culture. I went to practice every Saturday from 10 to 12 and met the funnest people. I danced the taiaha, which is a long stick that I basically weave around my arms. It looks really cool! Unfortunately, I am obviously not Polynesian, so it was an interesting experience to see how minorities feel.
Lionel, our boss man, was great! He learned everyones name so quickly and i'm not so sure if that was a good thing in my case because It was easier for him to get mad at me when I messed up, which was no uncommon in the least bit.
Basically I am a Maori Warrior now. The dances that New Zealand does, especially with the Taiaha, are based on war dances the tribes use to do. I loved getting the Moko on my face. It made everyone look so fierce, especially the guys. But lets be honest they looked pretty hot with all that war paint on.
So the most common comment I got from people was the fact that my shoulders were showing. I got the whole, "don't you go to BYU?" "Modest is hottest don't you know." "I thought you were better than that..." PEOPLE COME ON! We are representing a culture. Traditional dress is part of that culture and the whole point of the Lu'au is to honor those cultures. Yes I go to BYU, Yes Ive heard modest is Hottest, and by goly Its not like Im going to wear that dress around everyday! So thank you people for your concern:)
Now on a lighter note... BOY oh Boy is it hard to get tube tops to stay up! I had to literally tape my strapless bra to my skin and then tab the dress to the bra and my skin in order to keep that thing up. not to mention then tying hay stuff around the top of it. My favorite part of the whole get up was most definitely my one feather earing, although a lot of people asked if I was dressing up as a Native American.
While wearing the costume I went to get subway before we were going to go on and perform. Me and Ariel were standing there in line and this guy kept looking back at us. Finally he asked if we were performing for something or just normally dressed like that. Haha SERIOUSLY! haha I just looked at him and said, "Of course I normally wear this! Don't you? I mean its not like we are in the Cougar Eat at BYU or anything:)" Of all the questions! haha just kidding he was really nice, although I was slightly embarrassed to be walking around in that garb.
Now onto the HAKA! Can I just heave a little sigh right now! *************** I could watch men do that all day! There is nothing so studly as a man doing the Haka. Talk about scaring away the enemy. The whole stage shook as they screamed and stomped on the floor. Their faces were terrifying as they stuck their tongues out and their eyes bulged. That was about the time that the song, "im going to marry that man someday" started playing in my head. The fun thing about the Maori culture is one minute you'll have something like the Haka going on and then they immediately start singing this soft joyous song. Its so unexpected and made the whole audience laugh.
I cant think of much more to say on the topic other than it was the BOMB.COM. You all missed out if you didn't see it!
This is Aubree Signing out:) HAI!
