Alex Kollar

15 September 2014
Dr. Hill
Comm 201

The Art of Poi Spinning

INTRODUCTION

I. Attention Getter: Has any here ever heard of poi spinning before? Usually
when I ask people that they say either, No, that sounds like a drug, (Yes
someone actually thought I was talking about some weird drug) or, Yeah, you
told me about it.
II. Establish relationship/ethos: I only know of one person on the Wheaton
campus, besides me, that knows what poi spinning is. I learned how to spin
poi over the summer from two of my co-workers. (I worked at a surf camp,
major hippie territory). Im still only a beginner but Ive been learning as
much as I can ever since I first spun.
III. Motivate audience towards topic: Even though I love poi spinning, it wasnt
until this assignment when I started to actually research it. Now that I
understand the origins of this art form, which I love, Im so excited that I can
actually educate people.
IV. THESIS: Poi spinning, which was at once a tool to develop survival skills by
the Maori people, has become a unique, modern form of entertainment and
art.
V. Preview: As I said before, Im really excited to share this new found
information and history of poi spinning, because its such a unique and
beautiful art-form that I think it needs to be shared. Ill walk you through the
history and origin of poi and show you how it was introduced into modern
times. At the end of my time, Id like to give a quick demonstration for you all
so you can see the beauty of poi in action.

Transition: With all that said, what IS poi anyway!?

I. When is was first developed, poi spinning was used for practical purposes in
the Maori culture.
a. The physical shape of poi was originally created to carry moa eggs.
i. ..twisting flax leaves together for the cords and adding a weighted
end. The ball weight was formed of Raupo (a wetland plant
commonly known as bulrush) and cornhusks wound around a core
pith, the ball and cord were then joined together (100% Poi and
Fire Poi Spinning).
ii. They were able to carry multiple eggs at a time, which made
gathering easier. (Poi Toa - New Zealand in History)
b. Women spun the poi to increase flexibility and dexterity.
 i. One of the womens main jobs was to weave baskets for the tribe.
Spinning the poi helped to strengthen their wrists.
ii. The women also preformed dances with poi. The poi were also
used in games.

Transition: The traditional dances that the women (and men) preformed are how poi
spinning was brought into the modern era.

II. Poi spinning has become a modern form of dance and expression.
a. The Kiwi classic song, Poi-E, was the song that brought poi spinning
into the modern era in 1982.
i. The song was a collaboration between Maori linguist Ngoi
Pewhairangi and musician Maui Dalvanius Prime to connect
modern Moari to their roots. (Poi-E).
ii. This song is accredited to have popularized poi spinning.
b. Poi has now spread throughout the entire world.

Transition: Not has the practice spread, but the culture has also grown.

III. Today, poi spinning has turned into a rich culture of performance and art.
a. There are now many different kinds of poi.
i. Sock poi.
ii. LED poi.
iii. Fire poi.
iv. Flag poi.
b. The way people spin has developed over time as the community grows.
i. Many poi artists have borrowed from other disciplines, such as
martial arts, club swinging, dance, and rhythmic gymnastics
(What is Poi?).
ii. The Internet has become the main way in which artists share their
skills and ideas.
iii. The community itself is truly amazing and very welcoming.
Whean a new spinner expressed worries about joining a Poi
Dancing group, another spinner posted: Everyone in the group is
in different places. We have people show up who have never done
it before, and we have people who have a lot of experience. We
just have fun. You should come out (Bolero). This post was
followed by many others who reached out to the new-comer with
encouraging words.

Transition: (This last point is how I will transition directly into signaling the end of the
speech).
CONCLUSION

I. Signal the end: Its amazing to me to see how passionate the poi community is
about spinning, yet how unheard of poi is to the world outside the community.
Thats why I wanted to share this with you today; to share my passion with you.
II. Summarize the main ideas (and thesis): When the Maori people developed these
Kii pouches to carry eggs and work on their dexterity, I dont think they knew
what they were creating. I dont think they could have ever imagined that people,
hundreds of years in the future, would be celebrating their culture through the
very art they created. Even today, when the way that poi is made and shared has
changed so drastically, there is an entire community thanking and honoring the
Maori through spinning. And I can relate, I praise God for the Maori!
III. Reconnect topic to audience: Poi, to me, is more than just a way to preform for
people (although I really like to spin for others, its one of my favorite thing to
do); its a way that God reveals beauty and peace to me. This is one of the ways I
relax and worship. It truly is a gift from God.
IV. Clincher (circle back to attention-getter?): Now, I would like to demonstrate the
art of poi spinning.
 Works Cited

Bolero. (2012, Dec. 9). Hi. Im new [Web log comment]. Retrieved from
http://www.meetup.com/austinpoi/messages/boards/thread/29456842

Poi-E - a classic kiwi POI song and story. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.homeofpoi.com/lessons_all/teach/Poi-E-a-classic-kiwi-POI-song-and-
story-34_293_1948

Poi Toa - New Zealand in History. (n.d.). Retrieved from

http://history-nz.org/poi.html#top

What is Poi? (2008, November). Retrieved from http://www.playpoi.com/what-is-poi

100% Poi and Fire Poi Spinning. (n.d.). Retrieved from

http://www.poipoi.info/About-Poi/History-of-Poi.htm