Aro-Mind

In theatre traditions throughout the world, one can find a variety of approaches to performing. Perhaps the most well know is the use of mimesis in western theatre. In this approach, it is said that an actor dons the mask of a character and for a time acts out that character. Whilst this is not the only kind of approach in western theatre, this is a key aspect of it. As an approach to performing, Ōrotokare has been exploring the concept of whakaahua, which literally means ‘coming to form’. In traditional Māori performance, it appears that excellent performance is achieved when an audience believes that a performer has been transformed in some way. That is, a performer is not merely like or akin to something but has actually been transformed themselves. Usually this means that a performer has become an atua, or a divine presence. We see this idea reflected in the following expression used for a woman who has achieved excellence in dance: ‘Ko Hineruhi koe, nāna i tū te ata hāpara.’ (You ...

Hineruhi is dawnlight - a beautiful, soft, feminine light that shines forth at the beginning of day. She is the dawn maid, the dawnlight that sparkles and dances upon the morning dew. She sparkles, glimmers, radiates. She cleanses and makes things pure. She is playful and light. The Hine energy takes us across thresholds - receiving and transforming. As Hinetītama, she facilities the birth from Te Pō to Te Ao. As, Hinenui-i-te-pō, she facilitates the transition from Te Ao to Te Pō. The Hine energy is concerned with passing through doorways and entering new realms and her song comes in the form of the karanga. Hineruhi receives, transforms and offers. She receives Tāne's gift, nurturing it, transforming it, ready to make offerings to the world. Her lover is Tānerore. She inspires him as he inspires her. We delight to be in Hineruhi's presence. She cleanses us and she awakens our spirits. The Māori word for beauty and one we can associate with Hineruhi is 'pūrotu'.

Tānerore is a magnificent and handsome masculine energy. He is the son of the sun and Tānerore is a term used for the quivering of light on a very hot day. Tānerore is generally associated with sunlight on clear days. The Tāne energy is assertive in quality. He is concerned to project himself into the world. Tānerore is a particular kind of Tāne energy. He is associated with sunlight, a quality that shines forth into the world, illuminating and warming things. Whilst Tānerore is powerful and magnificent, his dance is not fearful. We are not scared of him. On the contrary, we wish to be in his presence as we wish to bask in the sunshine. He is warming, powerful, illuminating, radiating, shining. Tānerore's lover is Hineruhi. He inspires her, she inspires him. The Māori term for handsome and the word we can associate with Tānerore is 'marutuna'.