How To Make Fire Poi Diy? All Answers

What length should my poi be?

When it comes to poi length, different people have different preferences. We want to explore different poi lengths, what might be a better choice for you and why! The length of the poi tether ranges from sometimes as short as 12 inches to 30 inches. We will divide it into 3 categories, short poi, standard poi and long poi. Remember that we are talking about the entire length of the poi, including the handle and the head.

standard poi

The most common poi lengths for poi are between 20-24 inches. A general rule of thumb for those just starting out is to go a length from the center of your palm to the inside of your shoulder crease. This is enough for everyone, so keep measuring! Default POI is a great starting point for finding what you prefer. The most important thing for beginners is to make sure your poi is off the ground from a neutral standing position with your arm down.

Short Poi

This is a poi that falls within the under 20 inch range. Short poi used to be more popular than in recent years and are better suited to a specific spinning style. They are lighter and easier to control, but require constant high speed and make contact movements very difficult. Short poi allow for a wide range of movements as they have less chance of making contact with your body. Try some circular saws or inversions with your short poi!

long pois

If you are in the 25-30 inch range, you have long poi. Long poi are great for contact poi, isolations and even adding some juggling moves. Long poi slow down rotations, giving you more time to change your moves. They are also better suited for performances as they create patterns that can be seen from a distance.

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Kevlar, Nomex, Technora, Twaron and Abseil

These are some of the common brand names for heat resistant products e.g. B. Ropes, ribbons, webbing, fabrics, firefighting equipment, etc. Each of these branded products has different properties depending on the type of fiber used to make the thread that twists the wick. For fire safety, the most important factor is heat resistance. Technora has the highest 900F, Kevlar 500F and Nomex 300F. This is an approximate heat resistance as each of these brand names have different ratings as they use different chemicals to create the fibers.

This has caused a lot of confusion in the field of fire dance or flow arts as people refer to the brand and not the fiber it is made from. In addition, many manufacturers do not use branded fibers to manufacture the products. For example, virtually no fire wick manufacturer that we call Kevlar wick actually uses DuPont Kevlar, they use a cheaper generic unbranded aramid fiber, and we call it Kevlar. Just like Kleenex, it’s a common name/brand. (Technora) Poly-Para-Phenylene-Terephthalamide (PPTA), (Kevlar) Poly-Para-Phenylene-Terephthalamide, (Nomex) Poly-m-Phenylenediamine-Isophthalamide are all pretty complicated fiber names, so it’s no wonder why people use brand names. The term commonly used for all of these fiber types is aramid. Which simply means an artificial organic polymer made by spinning fibers from a liquid chemical mixture… Fairly vague at best. If you buy Wicking by name it really doesn’t mean much, you also have to test it and see how good it really is.

That issue aside, the main problem with using these aramid fibers to make fire wick is that the heat generated when using the prop is well in excess of the material’s rating. So all of this burns up, it’s just a matter of how fast. Using materials at higher temperatures that can withstand the heat, such as fiberglass or ceramic, does not have good properties in terms of weight transport, fuel absorption or abrasion resistance. So, fire artists use an inferior material, the best available option, which is made of some kind of aramid fiber.

Kevlar wick fuels

The type of fuel used has a major impact on the life of the wick. Because many types of fuel are available, the most common fall into two basic categories.

Traditional staple in the Polynesian diet

This article is about Polynesian food. For other uses, see Poi (disambiguation)

Samoan Poi, a creamy dessert made by mixing mashed ripe bananas with coconut cream

Tahitian Po’e, a sweet, pudding-like dessert made from banana, papaya, or mangoes, cooked with cassava and coconut cream. Hawaiian poi made from taro should not be confused with:

Poi or popoi is a traditional staple in the Polynesian diet, made from starchy vegetables, usually breadfruit, taro or plantain.

Traditional poi is made by mashing cooked starch on a wooden pickguard with a pestle carved from basalt, calcite, coral, or wood. Modern methods use an industrial food processor to produce large quantities for retail distribution. During mashing and just before consumption, water is added to the starch to achieve the desired consistency, which can range from highly viscous to runny. In Hawaii this is classified as either “one finger”, “two fingers” or “three fingers”, alluding to how many fingers are required to capture (the thicker the poi, the fewer fingers required to capture) . a sufficient sip).[1]

Poi can be eaten fresh and sweet right away, or fermented and sour, developing an odor reminiscent of plain yogurt. A layer of water on top can prevent fermenting poi from forming a crust.

History and culture[edit]

Hawaiians Eat Poi (1889)

Hawaiian men beating poi (circa 1890)

Poi is believed to have originated in the Marquesas Islands, created by Polynesian explorers sometime after initial settlement.[2] Food pureeing does occur in other parts of the Pacific, but the method was more rudimentary. In western Polynesia, the cooked starch was mashed in a wooden bowl using a makeshift masher made from either the stalk of a coconut leaf or a hard, unripe breadfruit with several wooden skewers inserted into it. The origins of poi coincided with the development of basalt pounders in the Marquesas, which soon spread elsewhere in eastern Polynesia, with the exceptions of New Zealand and Easter Island.

Ring-type and socket-type poi pounders found only on the island of Kauai and on display at the Kauai Museum

Poi was considered such an important and sacred aspect of daily Hawaiian life that Hawaiians believed that the spirit of Hāloa, the legendary Hawaiian ancestor, was present when a bowl of poi was uncovered for consumption at the family table. Accordingly, all conflicts between family members had to be ended immediately.[3]

Although many people around the world consume taro, only Hawaiians make poi. Hawaiians traditionally cook the starchy, potato-like heart of the taro root for hours in an underground oven called an imu, which is also used to cook other types of food like pork, carrots, and sweet potatoes.[4]

Fermentation[ edit ]

Poi has a pasty texture and delicate flavor when freshly prepared the traditional way, with a pale purple color naturally derived from the taro tuber. It has a smooth, creamy texture. The taste changes significantly after the poi is made: fresh poi is sweet and edible; Every day thereafter, the poi loses sweetness and becomes sour due to a natural fermentation involving Lactobacillus bacteria, yeast, and Geotrichum fungi.[5] As such, some people find fermented poi tastier when mixed with milk or sugar, or both. The speed of this fermentation process depends on the concentration of bacteria in the poi,[6] but the acidification process can be slowed down by storing poi in a cool, dark place. To prepare commercial poi that has been refrigerated, it is squeezed out of the bag into a bowl (sometimes with the addition of water) and a thin layer of water is poured over the air-exposed portion to prevent a crust from forming on top forms . New commercial poi preparations require refrigeration but stay fresher longer and taste sweeter.

Still edible, sour poi may be less palatable, and is usually served with salted fish or Hawaiian lomi salmon as a side (as in the “my fish and poi” lyrics). Acidity can be prevented by freezing or dehydrating fresh poi, although once thawed or rehydrated, the resulting poi tends to taste bland compared to the fresh product. Sauerpoi has an additional use as a cooking ingredient with a sour flavor (similar to buttermilk), usually in breads and rolls.

Nutrition and dietary and medicinal uses[edit]

Taro is low in fat, high in vitamin A, and high in complex carbohydrates.[7]

Poi was specifically used as a milk substitute for babies or as baby food.[8] It should be easy to digest. It does not contain gluten, making it safe for people with celiac disease or those with a gluten intolerance.[8]

See also[edit]

List of ancient dishes and foods

Fufu – West African dish made from cassava puree

Nilupak – Filipino delicacies made from pureed starchy foods

Ube halaya – Filipino purple yam dessert

quotes[edit]

Fire dancing is a lot of fun, but before you light up there are a few things you should know. Below is some basic fire safety information, as well as some specifics about fuels and other things related to the fire. Please read this information and take it seriously, it is for your benefit.

equipment maintenance

Always check your gear before use, even if you’ve just done a performance and are about to fire it up again, check again. Check all parts for wear. Tear your grips? Are there cracks in your ball chain or metal parts? If your wick starts to fray, trim it before rekindling it.

dress

Wear tight-fitting natural fabrics and fabrics. Synthetic is not a good idea, especially fleece. It catches fire easily and melts very quickly (I found this the hard way). Lederhosen work very well. If you have long hair, you must wrap it or wear a hat. It’s also a good idea to dampen your hair if possible. Hair sprays, dyes, gels are not a good idea. Whatever you want to wear, test it first.

Make your appearance at least once in the costume you intend to wear, make sure you are comfortable in it and able to move freely. Common sense is your best friend.

Personal security

Never spin with just fire. You need someone close by who is familiar with your routine and moves. This person must be comfortable around fire and know what to do in the event of an accident. This person should also have first aid skills. Your “assistant” must have a fire blanket or damp towel ready

always and have a fire extinguisher (ABC) ready.

Practice, practice, practice before you glow for the first time.

Never light until you are completely comfortable with your abilities and take it easy the first time. Don’t try new moves while on fire, again, COMMON SENSE.

safety of others

You need to be aware not only of yourself but also of the audience. Your “assistant” should have crowd control skills. Make sure your performing area is large enough and there are no obstacles to trip over or get tangled in. Keep your diving station away from the crowd and your performance. Keep an eye on your audience.

Gas station/diving station

Keep your dive station in a well-marked area away from the crowd and all fire displays. You don’t want a spark flying in!! Your fuel should remain sealed when not in use. Your dive station should contain at least one dive bucket and one spin-off bucket. Dive times will vary depending on what type of wick you are using. After diving, be sure to fling off the excess fuel into a slingshot bucket. Some performers like to use the extra fuel as part of their performance, only do this if you know what you are doing and it is safe. Fuel is an environmental hazard, please be kind to the earth.

types of fuels

This is a very controversial topic. It depends on which fuel combination is suitable for which application. Experiment and find out what works best. Below is a list of common fuels and their properties.

kerosene or paraffin

Kerosene and paraffin are pretty much the same fuel. Paraffin, also known as: lamp oil, is a

Derivative of kerosene. Kerosene is the base fuel before other additives are mixed. An example would be lamp oil. This fuel burns somewhat smoky and leaves an oily residue after combustion. Ignition usually takes a few seconds. This fuel tends to burn the longest. This is a good fuel if you need to dip for a while before your performance as it takes the longest to evaporate.

naphtha

Some common examples would be Coleman White Gas and Lighter Fluid. This fuel burns the hottest, brightest and cleanest. This fuel ignites the fastest, but also evaporates the fastest. This is the most commonly used fuel due to its low flash point and bright flame. This fuel is very volatile and should be used with extreme caution. Keep all flames away from the gas station.

lighting

Always light your wick away from your face and away from your dive site.

Always light from below the wick. If you use a lighter, DO NOT put the lighter back in your pocket.

Extinguish

It’s a good idea to extinguish the flame before it goes out on its own. This will greatly extend the life of your wick. As the flame nears the end, you can blow it out by blowing from the bottom up. Your assistant can put out the flame with a fire blanket or damp towel. After your wick is out, you can place it back in the fuel to cool.

NOTE: If you are using Coleman White Gas or a fuel more volatile than kerosene,

DON’T repeat DON’T put it back in the fuel after it runs out. The fuel will explode!! Even if you have a lot of metal at the end of your wick, wait a few minutes before dipping it back into the fuel.

First aid for burns In the case of minor burns, hold the burned area under cold running water.

In the event of a major burn, seek immediate medical attention. If you want to read more, please visit the websites below.

The Spinsterz accepts no liability if you or anyone else

around you is violated by using our products.

” ” Pele creates a plume of fire by directing fuel from her mouth through a source of flame. It holds the fuel and flame at an angle of 60 to 80 degrees. Photo courtesy of Pyromorph

Fire-breathing actions can be breathtaking or even amazing. “It’s a very spectacular effect,” says Garner. “There are very few things that cause as much amazement … it’s something that people don’t see very often.”

To craft a pillar of fire, a fire breather uses two basic components: fuel and a flame source. Very simply put, the performer directs a gulp of fuel in a powerful jet over a flame. The result can be a pillar, a cloud, or a fireball.

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It sounds simple, but controlling the direction of the fuel and the consistency of the spray is a technique that takes a long time to refine. Fire breathers usually practice extensively with water before ever taking a sip of fuel or lighting a torch. You focus on controlling beam direction and consistency. “You can still see the fuel in the air,” says Pele. Garner adds that if the spray isn’t fine enough, “the fuel will catch fire and then fall to the ground and burn.”

Another important factor is the angle of the fuel and therefore the flame. Pele explains that it should be “between an angle of 60 [and] 80 degrees… A lower angle may result in the flame hitting a body part, and a higher angle may result in unignited fuel falling back into the face.” . The angle is extremely important. ”

As they prepare to breathe fire, performers examine their surroundings, including the direction and speed of the wind. “I watch the flames,” says Pele. “You’re the best tell of anything we could use. They respond to every subtle nuance in the air.”

Garner emphasizes the importance of knowing your surroundings: “Notice if there are power lines or trees with low-hanging branches…notice where your audience is, where you are…everything that’s around you could be located. ”

By Any Other Name One of the challenges of talking about fire breathing is that there is no perfect word to describe exactly what the performer is doing. Performers use a number of words to describe fire breathing, including aspirating, blowing, breathing, and spitting. While “breathing” isn’t the most technically accurate word, it’s the word most people associate with this type of fire stunt.

Fire pits are one of the most popular outdoor living features we have for homeowners at E.A. design and install. Quinn Landscape Contracting. They have become so popular that the options have increased, especially when it comes to fuel source. Gone are the days when a fire pit was a simple bowl of seasoned firewood. Today, fireplaces come in all shapes and sizes and are fueled from a variety of sources. So what is the best fuel source for a fire pit? Well, as with most landscaping questions, it depends!

The main options for fueling a backyard fire pit are: wood, propane, and natural gas. Below we go through some of the pros and cons of each of these options.

Firewood – The best thing about firewood is that it is easily accessible. You might have a free stash in your backyard! But chances are you’ll need to buy seasoned firewood that’s ready to burn. If you plan on only having a few fires a year, you can pick up a bundle at a local store. However, if you plan to burn multiple times a week, you may need to purchase wood from a supplier. Stacking and storing firewood can be time-consuming and messy. But some people love it! Plus, nothing beats the heat quality and crackle of a wood fire.

Propane – There are several benefits of propane for your fire pit. First, lighting the fire is quick and easy. Second, propane cylinders, which are commonly used for grilling, are readily available at gas stations and grocery stores. Propane also burns cleaner than firewood, making it better for the environment and better for those sensitive to air quality changes.

Natural Gas – Like propane, natural gas fireplaces are easy to light and burn clean. But if you don’t have a natural gas connection to power your stove or hot water, setting up just a fire pit can be too expensive.

Finally, cost is a factor to consider with any fuel source. The price of energy sources is always changing, so always research the current price situation for wood, propane, or natural gas before designing and installing your fire pit.

Performance art with fire skills

Video of a fire performance at Webster Hall NYC

A fireball with a staff

Revolving Fire Dancers of Udaipur perform traditional dance.

Fire dancer with torch

Fire performance is a group of performance arts or skills involving the manipulation of fire. Fire behavior typically involves devices or other objects made with one or more wicks designed to maintain a flame large enough to produce visual effect.

Fire performance includes skills based around juggling, baton twirling, poi spinning, and other forms of object manipulation. It also includes abilities like fire breathing, fire eating, and body burning; sometimes called fakir skills. Fire performance has different types of performances including fire dance; the use of fire as a finale in an otherwise non-fire performance; and using fire skills as “dangerous” stunts. Performances can be performed as choreographed routines to music (this type is related to dance or rhythmic gymnastics); as freestyle performances (performed with or without music); or performed with vocal interaction with the audience. Some aspects of fire performance are found in a variety of cultural traditions and rituals from around the world.

Any performance involving fire has inherent dangers and risks and fire safety precautions should always be followed.

Fire Belly Dancer Houston, Texas

history [edit]

One of the earliest mentions of fire performances was at the ceremony of Simchat Beit HaShoeivah during the Second Temple holiday of Sukkot by the Jews in Jerusalem between AD 10 and AD 70. It was said of Rabbi Simeon ben Gamaliel that when he spoke about the joy of drawing water rejoiced, took eight flaming torches in one hand and threw them upwards; he threw one and caught one, and one never touched the other. [1]

The ancient Aztecs performed a fire dance dedicated to Xiuhtecuhtli, the god of fire.[2] The Aztec fire dance is performed for tourists in Mexico today. In Bali, the Angel Dance and the Fire Dance, which are regularly performed for tourists, have their origins in ancient rituals. Both the angel dance and the fire dance have their origins in a trance ritual called the sanghyang, a ritual dance “performed to ward off witches at the time of an epidemic.” [3] Also known as the “horse dance,” in which men perform the dance Handrails depicting horses leaping around burning coconut shells and walking through the flames. French Polynesia, Antigua, Cuba and St. Lucia are other places where fire dances are reenacted for tourists. The Siddha Jats of the Thar Desert in India perform traditional fire dances as part of the Spring Festival. Fire Dance is performed to music played on drums and the behr. There are variations of the fire dance; Men often perform a dance of walking on hot coals. A great fire is created and allowed to burn down until it is a pit of glowing embers. Performers then jump in and out of the pit, kicking up the embers to create a shower of sparks, while women perform a dance while balancing flaming tin pots on their heads. Today this ritual is often performed for tourists.

Another form of fire dance originated with the people of Polynesia. It is believed that the Maori of New Zealand would soak a ball attached to a string in fuel, set it on fire and perform dance rituals. “Poi” is a Maori word meaning “ball on a string,” making Maori the originators of the flow devices that are still popular today.[4] See poi (performance art).

Modern developments[edit]

A fire breather performing for tourists in Antigua in the Caribbean.

Limbo (dance) performer with a flaming pole in St. Lucia

A performance in San Francisco

A fire hoop artist in New York City

A fire dancer in New York City who uses poi

A fire brigade performs in Makerspace Xanadu; Fire breathing and fire whirling are shown

Fire-spinning dragon staff.

Incendiary performance has grown in popularity since the mid-1990s. [citation needed] This growth has occurred for both hobbyist and professional practitioners. Fire skills are performed at raves, nightclubs, beach parties, and music festivals. One such festival, especially popular with fire artists, is Burning Man. Fire shows are becoming increasingly popular as entertainment at corporate events, street fairs, celebrations and as a precursor to fireworks.

Types [ edit ]

Fire demonstrations have become increasingly popular with the availability of a greater variety of fire equipment and teaching methods.

Traditional Fire Shows: Traditional shows often incorporate Polynesian costumes and other cultural elements. Many follow guidelines or are inspired by the annual World Fireknife Competition and Samoa Festival.

Modern Fire Shows: These shows vary widely from performances choreographed to music to street style shows with varying degrees of audience interaction and participation. Modern fire shows can use a very wide range of fire skills and props.

Fire Theater: Such shows are theatrical shows that incorporate fire and fire performances as elements of staged dramatic presentations. Often the fire performance is a small part of the big show. These shows typically use more elaborate props and costumes, and may have less of a focus on technical skills.

Fire Fetish Show: Such shows are recognizable by a more overt sexuality in the performance and often extremely risqué costumes, nudity and implied or actual sexual contact between performers and are often seen as a mixture of exotic dancing or burlesque with fire dancing. Thus, fire fetish refers to a specific style of performance and not to a sexual fetish on the part of the performer, as would pyrophilia.

Erotic Fire Show: Such shows can be viewed as simply regular improvised fire dance, but with an emphasis on sexually arousing body movements, seductive facial expressions, an eroticized music selection (such as R&B or downtempo music), and minimal attire on the part of the performer to promote sexual arousal or desire in addition to the expected visual entertainment for an audience. Unlike a fire fetish show, this performance is generally more low-key, slower in tempo, and may be performed by a solo dancer before a small and select audience, often a spouse or romantic partner. This performance can be an active and visually exciting form of ritual foreplay. However, this type of show is enticing to a select audience.

Ritual Fire Show: Such shows are usually an amalgamation of pagan or occult fire ceremonies and fire displays. They focus less on technical skills and more on using the fire dancer to emphasize the ritual or to represent the specific element of fire.

Fire and Belly Dance: Such shows are a fusion of oriental belly dance ( Raqs Sharqi ) and combine elements of fire and belly dance. Often the dancers use palm torches and fiery swords that resemble scimitars.

) and combine elements of fire dance and belly dance. Often the dancers use palm torches and fiery swords that resemble scimitars. Fire jugglers can combine juggling, fire and comedy into a live performance. This may involve setting fire to body parts.

Flow artists (see Object Manipulation) who specialize in fire props can use equipment such as fire sticks, hula hoops, and devil sticks.

Fire engine[ edit ]

Fire performances are usually performed using props specially made for the purpose. Fire torches, fire sticks, fire poi, fire hula hoops, fire whips and other fire props are all readily available.

Poi – A pair of roughly arm-length chains with handles on one end and a bundle of wicking material on the other.

Rod – A metal or wooden tube 1–2 m long with wicking material attached to one or both ends. Rods are typically used singly or in pairs. it is also possible to juggle three or more.

Kite Wand – A metal or wooden tube about 2 m long, each end of which consists of three or more wicks arranged in a wheel. Kite wands are more often rolled onto the body than spun.

Tire of Fire – Tires with spokes and attached moisture-wicking material.

Fan – A large metal fan with one or more wicks around the edges.

Fire Screen – an umbrella-like performance prop that can be constructed in a variety of ways.

Fire Meteor – A long chain or rope with wicks or small bowls of liquid fuel attached to either end.

Nunchaku – Nunchaku with wicking material, usually at both ends.

Fire Staff – Like a traditional devil staff, with wicks on either end of the central staff.

Torch – A club or staff with a wick at one end, which is swung like Indian clubs or thrown one over the other like juggling clubs.

Fire Knife – Short staff with a blade attached to the end and wicking material applied to the blade. Fire knives are the traditional Polynesian fire tool and have been used since the 1940’s.

Firerope Arrow – A wick, sometimes wrapped around a steel mandrel, at the end of a rope or chain 6 to 15 feet long, with a ring or other handle on the opposite end.

Fire Rod – A short metal rod, usually 28 inches long, with two wicks on each end and a fireproof cord threaded through the middle. The wand is balanced to remain upright and appear to be floating around the user. It is also known as a levitation stick, Levi stick or flow stick.

Fire Sword – either an actual sword modified for fire or one specifically built for fire shows with a fiberglass core wrapped in Kevlar wick.

Fireball – 2 rings or handles between which a wick is attached with a thin wire. Also known as Fire Bug or Chi-Ball.

Fingers of Fire – Short and thin torches attached to individual fingers.

Hand Torches – Small, flat-based torches intended to be held upright in the palm of the hand.

Fire Waist Belt – A motorcycle chain belt with five evenly spaced spokes that wick at the ends.

Firewhip – Lengths of braided aramid fiber tapering to a bullwhip, usually with a metal handle about 12 inches long. The whip can be cracked to create large clouds of fire.

Fire Whip – A traditional BDSM whip with Kevlar or Technora tails. Can be used for both power and temperature games

Fire Rope/Snake – Similar to Poi but has a short 3-5 inch chain that attaches the handles to 12 inch or longer Kevlar or Technora rope.

Fire Jump Rope – A jump rope made of Kevlar or Technora.

Fire Cannon – a propane flame effect device; Larger ones can shoot a pillar of fire up to 200+ feet in the air, though they’re usually mounted on a base or vehicle.

Fire Poofer – Similar to fire cannons, but much smaller and designed to be held, with fuel stored in a “backpack” of one or more propane tanks.

Fireball – Specially constructed juggling balls, either solid balls dipped in fuel and juggled with protective gloves, or ones designed to contain the flame in the center of the ball.

Portable Fire – Headgear, waist belts, bracelets, or other clothing, typically made of metal, with Kevlar or Technora flares attached. Can be worn while fire dancing.

Fuels [ edit ]

Almost all modern firing devices rely on a liquid fuel that is soaked in the wick. There are many options for fuels that differ in their specific properties. Fire artists select a fuel or mixture of fuels based on safety, cost, availability, and the desirability of various properties of the fuel, including, for example, flame color and flame temperature. There are also some geographic differences in the fuels used due to local availability and price. Some American fire artists use white gas, although most use other fuels due to its low flash point, while British fire artists use paraffin (called kerosene in the US) or the white gas substitute petroleum naphtha.

Security [edit]

Fire performance skills are inherently dangerous, and only careful use of the props, storage of the fuel, and performance in appropriate spaces mean that the risks are minimized. Fire insurance policies all require firefighters to carry fire extinguishers, fire blankets, or other fire protection equipment.

Fire arts training[edit]

There are organized events in different parts of the world that teach fire art and object manipulation. These events, which can be fire festivals or juggling workshops or music festivals, are popular in the US, Canada, UK and Australia.[5]

See also[edit]

References[ edit ]

question

I try to burn brushwood in my garden, but when the leaves burn down, the fire is out and even they don’t burn down. It’s been there for about two months with very little rain.

Rick Thom Community Answer

If the brush is green, it will take quite a long time to dry enough to burn on its own. Try to build a big fire with some hardwood to keep it burning for a long time. Then put the brush on it. You should have more success with that. Hardwood burns very hot and will quickly dry out the brush to burn it. One thing to watch out for is not to smother your fire. Make sure the fire stays at a constant level.

Recently I was in Taranaki driving through Patea, famous for the Patea Maori Club and their 1984 New Zealand number one hit ‘Poi e’. Here is an excellent background to the song by Ngoi Pewhairangi and Dalvanius Prime. Sabina has always loved this song and drove us all, including her Kaiako in Kohanga, insane from an early age with her constant obsession with poi e. Poi e was in my car on repeat for many months. We later found it here on YouTube, to Sabina’s delight, and Sabina happily watches it many times, swinging her poi and occasionally singing along.

I filmed Sabina swinging her poi to poi e but I’m scared of copyright now so I won’t publish it. But I will post my poi tutorial:

HOW TO CREATE POI AT HOME (WITH ITEMS YOU PROBABLY ALREADY HAVE…)

Wool

Fabric (enough for 2x plate circles)

Plastic bag (not necessary but makes a good noisy poi)

Newspaper (or foam if you want to make a soft poi – another soft poi tutorial)

Willing participant to help you to make the 4-plait rope or watch my [SOLO PLAITING VIDEO TUTORIAL].

Select some leftover yarn to make your rope. You are making a poi with 4 braids/braids so 2 colors is ideal.

Small clip showing how to do the 4 braid:

With a partner

And from yourself

Hmm, I think I should have photographed the finished poi, but I’m sure you’ll get the picture.

Enjoy!

NOTE – September 2011 – Here are some new poi I made with Dacron Inner. I will be posting a revised tutorial soon with instructions on how to do the 4 braid yourself to create a rope spiral effect. https://domesticscene.wordpress.com/2011/09/12/new-poi-e/

The art of poi eventually found its way into a dance and Māori women began performing poi at cultural events with vocal and musical accompaniment. In contrast, modern poi can also be performed by individuals, without singing and with less structured choreography.

Poi has also gained a following in many other countries. The expansion of poi culture has led to a significant evolution in the styles practiced, the tools used, and the definition of the word “poi”.