August 12, 2021
Last chance to get down poetry dreams
Entries for the E Tū Whānau Spoken Word competition close tomorrow, so it’s not too late for rangatahi Māori to show off their word power.
This year’s theme, Ngā Moemoea, is about fulfilling hopes and dreams.
The competition is split into two parts – Rangatahi for under 18s, and Open for 19 and up.
Slam poet Te Kahu Rolleston says Māori have a special connection with kupu.
“Most of them have this innate ability to create a rhyme or make up a metaphor. It’s just never been used in a poetry setting, so when you show these rangatahi the skills they have can be transferred to this art form called spoke word poetry, it’s a powerful thing because they can say ‘I’m not just someone who raps and people don’t have to judge me for doing that,'” he says.
Submissions can be filmed and sent to the E Tu Whanau Facebook page, emailed to info@etuwhanaucomp.com or visit the website etuwhanau.org for more detail.
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