Tongues

In Rotorua, enjoyed a Māori hāngi which is a feast cooked in a buried pit (much like a Hawaiian luau.)

After arriving on the Mitai’s tribal land, we watched the village warriors paddle a waka down the river, carrying torches.  Then we gathered for some cultural presentations, starting with traditional songs and games (like this one involving tossing & catching sticks between each other.)
There was also a weapons demonstration.  I found it fascinating that the taiaha (spear) is anthropomorphic with the body being the shaft, the head being the spearhead, and the tip being a long, extended tongue.Sticking tongues out is also a huge part of the haka.
This was followed by the feast itself (non-traditional chicken & lamb) followed by a bush walk in the dark to see glowworms and the Mitai’s sacred spring, bubbling up endlessly at the bottom of a crystal-clear pool of water.