Origins Family Day - Sunday 03 July
Time: 12:00
Parliament Hill, Hampstead Heath
12.00-7.00pm
A celebration of First Nations with special guests from across the South Pacific and lots of music and art activities for the family. Hosted by popular Aboriginal comedian/musician Mark Bin Bakar.
On the hill:
Powhiri
Origins Family Day begins with a powhiri – a Maori welcoming ceremony involving speeches, dancing, singing and the hongi, which is a traditional greeting of touching noses together. Come and watch this beautiful ritual and welcome all our visitors to the Heath!
Hangi
A traditional Maori method of cooking food using heated rocks or steel buried in a pit oven. People join together as the food is lowered into the ground, covered over to allow to slow-cook, and then lifted and shared among the community.
Didjeridu workshops
Aboriginal Arts based in London are on the Heath throughout the day to run group didjeridu workshops, so come and try your hand at something different. Traditional aboriginal didjeridus will be on display with opportunities to hear about the extraordinary artwork and cultural history of this ancient instrument. There will be performances from master didj players, with a chance to learn some of the basics.
Dreamtime story tent
Adrian Beckingham is a collector of stories from across the globe and will be telling aboriginal Dreamtime stories throughout the day. Find a space inside the story tent and get ready to be taken on an exciting journey from The Man from Story Mountain. Adrian will also present aboriginal dance workshops taught to him by elders, and featuring movement inspired by Australian aboriginal kangaroos and emus.
Haka
Made famous by rugby teams the world over, the haka is a traditional Maori dance performed in many different styles depending on the occasion and the people involved. The rhythmic stamping of feet and chanting of Maori words is often included in the haka and creates a beautiful and imposing spectacle. Workshops led by New Zealand based group Toi Maori, give you an opportunity to learn a traditional haka and understand the meaning behind the moves.
Poi
Poi is another dance style from Maori culture mainly performed by woman, and uses balls attached to woven string (poi) to accentuate lovely movements of twirls, spins and turns. Workshops by Ngati Ranana introduce this lesser known Maori dance.
Tä Moko tattoo
Tä Moko is the Maori art of tattooing and has often been seen as a rite of passage from childhood to adulthood. The beauty and detail of Maori designs has become more popular in western culture, but here is a chance to see traditional Tamoko and leave as an honorary Maori with your own Maori tattoo design.
Maori kite flying
Kites traditionally play a large part in the Maori New Year and on Parliament Hill (also known as Kite Hill) there is no better place to have them. Come and decorate a kite with traditional Maori designs, learn about the history behind each of the symbols and then take to the sky.
With the support of the New Zealand Government through Manatu Taonga - Ministry for Culture & Heritage. Also supported by the Australian High Commission and in partnership with Border Crossings
Origins - Festival of First Nations
www.originsfestival.com
Admission free
Kentish Town, Tufnell Park or Hampstead Heath rail
