EPISODE 1 - PAI IN PAIHIA
Paitangi is the official kai karanga at Te Tii Marae Waitangi Celebrations. We meet her and profile her at work and at play and she talks about what it means to be Māori both here and internationally. She also talks about her expectations of going to Palestine and her dream of meeting bedouin wahine with moko kauae.
A few facts about the topics featured in this episode:
Fact 1 - about Paitangi >> Fact 2 - about Māori >>
EPISODE 2 - PAI IN RAMALLAH
Pai heads to El-Funoun Dance company, Palestine’s biggest dance company. El-Funoun Palestinian Popular Dance Troupe is an independent, nonprofit artistic organization that is virtually entirely volunteer-based. El-Funoun has been crowned as the lead Palestinian dance company in Palestine, as well as among Palestinians in exile.
A few facts about the topics featured in this episode:
Fact 1 - el funoun dance troupe >> Fact 2 - about poi >>
EPISODE 3 - PAITANGI GOES TO HEBRON
Paitangi is taken on a tour of the old city of Hebron that used to boast the biggest market in the Westbank by Howayda Baker, a young woman who was born and bred in Hebron. Jewish settlers have taken over Palestinian homes that sit above the markets and the Palestinian stall holders are struggling to survive as the Old city now has checkpoints and armed soldiers. Pai meets the only female market stall owner operator who runs a women’s collective.
A few facts about the topics featured in this episode:
Fact 1 - hebron >> Fact 2 - Tāniko >>
EPISODE 4 - HEBRON CONTINUED
After lunch in Hebron, Howayda takes us to the Palestinian Children’s Art Centre. The Palestinian Child Arts Centre in Hebron was set up for the child victims of atrocities in Hebron which saw the children painting in red and black only; red for blood and black for death. The progress to date has been phenomenal. The art produced by these kids is heart breaking and challenges our perceptions of how Palestinian children see the world.
A few facts about the topics featured in this episode:
Fact 1 - Palestinian Children's Art Centre >> Fact 2 - Māori and how we communicated through tā moko >>
Episode 5 - The road to Jericho
Paitangi is back in Jericho looking for Bedouin women who still carry traditional face tattoo. On the way she must travel along the infamous wall; a confronting 8m tall barrier that, more often than not, separates Palestine from Palestine. But this is not the only barrier she comes up against.
A few facts about the topics featured in this episode:
Fact 1 - the wall >> Fact 2 - about uhi / tā moko >>
EPISODE 6 - from jericho to jerusalem
After much tea and talk, Pai gets to meet the Bedouin Nanny Saba, who is over 100 years old and wears the facial tattoo. She also heads into Jerusalem where Raed Said has agreed to talk with her about Palestinian music, instruments and growing up in Jerusalem
A few facts about the topics featured in this episode:
Fact 1 - about the bedouin >> Fact 2 - Raranga - māori weaving >>
EPISODE 7 - PLAYING WITH PERCUSSION
Paitangi continues her informal conversation with Palestinian percussionist Raed Said. She gains a better understanding of the complex issues surrounding learning of music and art in Jerusalem and she finally gets to give an unusual drum a bang.
A few facts about the topics featured in this episode:
Fact 1 - TRADITIONAL ARAB PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS >> Fact 2 - JERUSALEM >>
EPISODE 8 - Women hold up half the sky
Paitangi spends the day wandering Jerusalem's old city with Nadin Burqan; a gifted, young Palestinian artist and a fierce advocate for women. Their korero wanders with them, covering everything from art, to religion, and her childhood memories of running through the crowded markets.
A few facts about the topics featured in this episode:
Fact 1 - atua wāhine - female māori gods >>
EPISODE 9 - Kids are Kids, everywhere the world over.
Pai is nervous as she heads into Shu'fat Refugee camp's children centre but the kids turn out to be the same as kids she has encountered all over the world..hau tutu!
A few facts about the topics featured in this episode:
Fact 1 - colonisation >> Fact 2 - Shu'Fat camp >>
EPISODE 10 - the last song for the day.
Visiting Mohammad was a grounding experience and was both a sobering yet uplifting end to my time in Palestine.. I hope, with all my heart that I will return.