Stellar LED Night Poi
Ka mihi tēnei ki ngā pūmanawa tuatahi o te toi poi, arā ko te iwi Māori o Aotearoa.
We acknowledge the indigenous origins of poi, the tīpuna creators and pioneers of toi Māori and all efforts to honour and retain the ways of those who lit the trail ahead of us.
PRODUCT DETAILS
- Set includes two mid/long LED poi with handles, straps and carry bag
- Adjustable handles/string 30-55cm with reinforced finger grips
- Replaceable LR44 batteries included
- Poi is 8cm diameter
- Made from soft PVC
- On/off switch
- 6 Modes: single colour, cycles and strobe
- Indoor or outdoor use
- Suitable for beginners, but padding in sensitive areas recommended
- Small parts not suitable for under 3 years old (supervise children!)
- Packaged in a stunning full print black card retail box
POI HISTORY
The kupu (word) poi means both sphere (n), and to toss (v) and the kupu is now synonymous worldwide with poi performance.
The art of poi has long been practiced by Māori, the indigenous people of Aotearoa, New Zealand and there is research indicating the use of poi in our early Polynesian neighbours' communities.
Traditional use was likely to develop coordination, strength and dexterity, but I'm sure the captivating playfulness included games, and that led the transition to the stage.
Now the poi is a component of most kapahaka competition sets and a favourite for many performers and observers alike.
Poi performance has also increased in pop and sub cultures worldwide, and it is perhaps regrettable that the cultural aspects haven't travelled with it.
PRODUCT HISTORY
The Night Poi are new to the Stellar range for 2021, but they have a long history with our business.
One of our founders, Katie, is a big poi (kapahaka) fan and was amazed to find fire poi at music festivals in the 2000s. An increase in fire bans kept us all safe but snuffled the expression of poi at these events and at home.
So in 2001 we (as Firefly Creations) developed an LED poi as an alternative to the banned fire poi. The first model was made from hacky sacks, the handles were long waxed cord with finger loops that cut the skin, and the carry bags were made and branded here by Southern Monograms.
We took photos in our backyard, and the pattern from those photos became the Firefly Creations logo as well as the skin for our 'Minimish' truck that travelled around selling glowing flashing things in the South Island. Think black corflute lined with fluoro fur...
A few models (and decades!) later and we know we have a good thing - this style of LED poi is now sold worldwide (by many many people). We do hope the integrity of poi is upheld in the sharing of our sets with you.
Karawhiua!
HISTORY LINKS
Otago University | Poia atu/mai taku poi
Ehara i te Pakihi Māori tūturu engari he Māori te nuinga o ngā kaimahi i kōnei. Nō Te Arawa whānui ētahi o mātou, nō Ngāi Tahu hoki ētahi atu.
We do not call ourselves a Māori business (that title goes to those focused on kaupapa Māori) but most of our kaimahi, and 1/2 the owners/directors, are proudly Māori.
You can expect our whakapapa to become more evident in our products and service, as we become more confident navigating and expressing our identity in and through our pakihi - we are grateful for the encouragement so far!:)
