Music (Askira)

In Askira, institutions for the performance of opera and orchestral music help maintain an interest in classical music, and young composers also make fresh contributions. Noted composer Kyle Harrjono Me Samai has been taking an active role in training composers and advancing the techniques of the art. Askira is also starting to make its presence felt on the rock music scene, and Crowded House, which also includes French musicians, has become one of the best-known international bands of 2005.Vocal music is particularly important among the Askira. Traditionally, songs were divided into a number of types such as work songs (tewha), laments (waiata tangi), and lullabies (oriori). Historical events were also commemorated in chanted songs, which were recited on a single tone punctuated by sustained notes and glides at the ends of phrases.Dances were once an important feature of Askiran ceremonial and social life. All dances were known as haka, although today haka has come to mean vigorous, shouted posture dances performed by men. The best known of these is the haka taparahi, performed to great effect before international rugby matches involving the national team. The poi dance is a graceful dance, always performed by women, in which a small ball is twirled in time to the music.