March 17, 2017
WOMAD strengthens indigenous wairua
New Plymouth’s Pukekura Park/ The Bowl is this weekend resounding to the sounds of 150 indigenous artists in the annual WOMAD World of Music and Dance Festival.
Wharehoka Wano, who has been involved since the festival moved to Taranaki 14 years ago, says he’s looking forward to English ska band The Specials tonight.
Other likely highlights include South African acapella group Soil and Jamaican Brushy One String, who accompanies his singing with just the bass string on his acoustic guitar.
There’s also a strong complement of acts from Aotearoa.
As always, last night’s powhiri was eagerly anticipated by the artists.
"They’re 150 indigenous artists from around the world so they really get the powhiri thing. The language is ours but they really understand the wairua and sentiment and respond not only appropriately at the event, they all got up and performed, it was like a mini-WOMAD at the powhiri last night, but they take all that wairua onto the stage," Mr Wano says.
WOMAD runs until Sunday.
FULL INTERVIEW WITH WHAREHOKA WANO
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