Origins of Poi

Poi originated with the Maori people of Aotearoa (New Zealand). The word "poi" means "ball on a cord" in te reo Maori.

Traditional use

Maori women used poi for wrist flexibility and hand coordination. Poi was also performed as part of waiata (songs) and kapa haka (cultural performance).

Journey to the world

In the late 1990s, poi was adopted by the global rave and festival scene. Fire poi emerged at full moon parties in Thailand, beaches in Goa, and Burning Man. The internet — especially Home of Poi (founded 1998 in NZ) — connected spinners worldwide.

Today, poi is practiced on every continent. The original Maori art form lives on alongside its modern descendants.