The Waka

     Waka

“Squawk” seagulls circle overhead as we leave the shore. The handmade carved kauri waka cruises across the moana. Bloody red patterns adorn the hull. The koruru’s protruding tongue and bulging eyes glare from the bow. Alongside  the kowhaiwhai patterns sit the intricately carved stories of past victories.

We glide noisily through the waters chanting with all our  might “tokihi, tokihi”. As we grasp onto the oars, we start dancing to the rhythm of the haka “ka mate ka mate, ka ora ka ora, ‘ka mate ka mate’, ‘ka ora ka ora’. Now it’s time for war.