Our teacher Ruth met Ani through her Zumba class as this multitalented woman is a Zumba teacher https://www.facebook.com/zumbakanikani.
Ani was able to answer our learners’ wide range of questions on Maori culture and we even learnt a few Maori words. One of the highlights was learning to use poi and singing a song (waiata) in Maori.
The students commented on how kind and helpful Ani was and she thought the class was delightful too. It was such a useful session as we learnt about Maori funerals (tangi), weddings and how the haka can not only be used in sports games but also at weddings and funerals to show respect to Maori culture. We learnt a little about the similarities between Maori culture and our own; for example, traditional and natural medicine is important in Columbia and China as well as in Maori tradition.
We learnt some great words like “Arohamai” to say sorry and most of us hongied with Ani at the end of her wonderful talk. We shared our spirit with her and had a wonderful day.
Kia ora Ani and ka kite ano.
