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New Zealand: The Legend of the Maori Haka

The traditional Maori Haka dance is a powerful and captivating performance that has been a part of Maori culture for centuries.

This ancient dance form originated from the indigenous people of New Zealand, the Maori, and holds deep cultural and historical significance. The Haka is a unique expression of the Maori people’s identity, strength, and pride.

The Legend of the Haka (Video from Contiki):

 

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The origins of the Haka can be traced back to the early Polynesian settlers who arrived in New Zealand around 1,000 years ago. These settlers brought with them their customs, traditions, and rituals, including various forms of dance.

Over time, the Maori people developed their own distinct style of dance, which eventually evolved into what is now known as the Haka.

Schools across New Zealand play a vital role in preserving this rich cultural heritage. Many schools teach the Haka as part of the curriculum, thereby ensuring that younger generations understand and value this aspect of their cultural identity.

The Haka is a profound expression of New Zealand’s Maori heritage, a resonant echo of historical warrior traditions that has seamlessly found its place in the modern world. This powerful performance is not just a pre-game ritual or a ceremonial dance; it is a living, breathing testament to the resilience and vitality of Maori culture.

Even as it evolves to fit contemporary contexts, the core elements of the Haka – unity, strength, and pride – remain unchanged.

The haka can be an important cultural ritual that is used to honor people on important occasions such as weddings and funerals.

At wedding ceremonies, the Haka becomes an expression of joy, respect, and unity, deeply touching not only the couple but everyone present. This transition from battlefield to wedding venue speaks to the Haka’s versatility as a medium of expression – capable of embodying a wide range of emotions, from the fierceness of warriors to the joy of a newly married couple.

When Queen Elizabeth II died in 2022, a group of young New Zealanders were filmed performing the haka to pay their respects to the late monarch.

New Zealand’s official tourism website says that non-Maori people are welcome to learn the dance as long as they respect the culture and traditions behind it.

“Learn the words and make sure you understand the meanings behind the chants, the significance of a particular haka and what you are trying to express when performing it,” the site advises.

The Haka has a universal appeal, captivating audiences with its energy, passion, and unique cultural elements. It is a way for people from different backgrounds to connect with Maori culture and gain a deeper understanding of its significance.

Learn more about the Haka: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haka
Learn more about Contiki: https://www.contiki.com/en-us

Fiddler’s Green – The Galway Girl

Fiddler’s Green is a German band that plays Irish folk music.

Fiddler’s Green – The Galway Girl:

 

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Formed in 1990, their first concert under the name of Fiddler’s Green was at the Newcomer-Festival in Erlangen in November that same year.

Their debut album entitled “Fiddler’s Green” was released in 1992 and featured both live and studio tracks, some traditional and some original material.

It was released on their own label, Deaf Shepherd Recordings. The band had been signed to a major label, but chose to go back to being independent. The band members themselves refer to their music as Irish Speedfolk, as opposed to Folk rock or Irish folk.

Meet Fiddler’s Green:

Ralf “Albi” Albers: vocals, acoustic guitar, bouzouki, mandolin, banjo
Pat Prziwara: vocals, electric & acoustic guitars, bouzouki, mandolin, banjo
Tobias Heindl: violin, vocals
Stefan Klug: accordion, bodhran
Rainer Schulz: bass
Frank Jooss: drums, percussion

Galway Ireland:

Galway is a city in the West of Ireland, in the province of Connacht, which is the county town of County Galway.

It lies on the River Corrib between Lough Corrib and Galway Bay. It is the most populous settlement in the province of Connacht, the fifth most populous city on the island of Ireland and the fourth most populous in the Republic of Ireland, with a population at the 2022 census of 85,910.

Located near an earlier settlement, Galway grew around a fortification built by the King of Connacht in 1124.

A municipal charter in 1484 allowed citizens of the by then walled city to form a council and mayoralty.

Controlled largely by a group of merchant families, the Tribes of Galway, the city grew into a trading port.

Following a period of decline, as of the 21st century, Galway is a tourist destination known for festivals and events including the Galway International Arts Festival.

In 2018, Galway was named the European Region of Gastronomy. The city was the European Capital of Culture for 2020, alongside Rijeka, Croatia.

Help to support Fiddler’s Green – 30 packages for 30 years – Go to the crowdfunding packages: http://fiddlers.de

The Galway Girl is the cover version of a modern classic by Steve Earle.

Photography: Holger Fichtner

Street repair, replacement continues in Great Falls – 7th Ave NW

Seems that every year the city of Great Falls picks a street and totally renews all of it, or portions of it in order to comply with ADA standards.

Streets without sidewalks and failed roadbeds get somewhat of a priority as bit by bit, they get replaced and rebuilt.

7th Ave NW looking east from 14th St NW
7th Ave NW looking east from 14th St NW

Another of these next steps is the 7th Ave NW project — this year the project includes the blocks from 14th St NW to 12th St NW on 7th Ave NW.
Some sections along this stretch have a few sidewalks already, but their length is only just the total width of a particular lot and that’s about it.

What’s really going to be sort of nice with regard to upgrading this next section of 7th Ave NW is that this is one of the main streets for the city transit bus route.

Since there is no sidewalk or ADA ramps on the east corner of 7th Ave NW and 14th St NW, riders have to stand on the grass to wait for the bus. Wheelchair access is all but impossible at this stop.

Soon, with the upgrades completed, the entirety of the 7th Ave NW and 14th St NW intersection will have ADA compliant sidewalks on all 4 corners (only two of the corners on the west side of the intersection are currently completed).

7th Ave NW looking west from 14th St NW
7th Ave NW looking west from 14th St NW

The entire length of 7th Ave NW will be nearly totally rebuilt after this next section is finished. Currently, everything on 7th Ave NW is finished all the way west to Watson Coulee Road from the west corner 14th St NW.

City will only have 3 more blocks left to do after this most latest upgrade to 7th Ave NW. All that will be left are the 3 blocks between 12th St NW and 9th St NW. 9th St NW will be totally rebuilt in 2025.

Hopefully, in the future, the city of Great Falls will begin the reconstruction of the total length of 8th Ave NW and maybe team up with MDT to install sidewalks along the by-pass from at least Watson Coulee Road to 9th St NW. I know that stuff like this takes time as I’m sure that money (or the lack of it) plays a huge roll in what gets done and when.

New hunting, fishing and conservation license year begins March 1 2024

From the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP)

The new license year opens March 1, which means that is the day you can buy your 2024 hunting, fishing and conservation licenses and begin applying for permits and special licenses. The deadline to apply for deer and elk permits is April 1.

Applications for most species – deer, elk, antelope, deer B licenses, elk B licenses, antelope B licenses, moose, sheep, goat, bison, bear, turkey – can be made beginning March 1.

A new online feature this year is the option for applicants to reapply for the same offerings as last year with just a simple click, eliminating the need to search through previous applications.

Hunters and anglers can buy licenses and apply for permits on the FWP website beginning at 5 a.m. on March 1; click on “Buy and Apply.” Most FWP offices will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Click here to watch a video tutorial for Montana residents on how to buy and apply for licenses and permits online. Click here to watch a video tutorial for nonresidents on how to buy and apply for licenses and permits online.

The licensing call center will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. from March 1 through April 1; after April 1, the hours will return to 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The call center can be reached at 406-444-2950.

This year FWP produced clearer information for hunters on bonus points and how they are used. Remember:

  • A bonus point is an extra chance for a hunter to draw a license or permit in a Montana drawing.
  • Preference points are used only for drawing Nonresident Combination Licenses. Preference points move you ahead in line for the drawing. If you are a Montana resident, preference points don’t apply to you.
  • For more information on bonus points, preference points and other important licensing topics, go to fwp.mt.gov/buyandapply/hunting-licenses.

Hunters and anglers can also take advantage of the MyFWP mobile app. The app holds and displays licenses, permits and E-Tags, which can be downloaded and used in the field without cell service. To create a My FWP account, visit the MyFWP login page.

Tips and reminders

  • Don’t wait until the last day to apply.
  • If you’re applying for a special license or permit, you will need to have a valid email address.
  • Make sure to doublecheck the regulations before applying. Some permit/licenses have changed.
  • The Online Licensing System is available from 5 a.m. to 11:45 p.m.
  • Everyone 12 and older needs a Conservation License to access most state lands, including fishing access sites, wildlife management areas and wildlife habitat protection areas (WHPA). Montana State Parks do not require a Conservation License.
  • A separate and rotating moose, bighorn sheep or mountain goat SuperTag lottery for resident hunters will be conducted annually. Montana residents will receive one free chance in the lottery for every General Elk or General Deer License purchased.

 

Application deadlines

  • Smith River Super Permit – March 22
  • Paddlefish (white tag) – March 22
  • Deer and Elk
    • Special Permits – April 1
    • Special Licenses – June 1
  • Bighorn Sheep – May 1
  • Bison – May 1
  • Moose – May 1
  • Mountain Goat –May 1
  • Antelope – June 1
  • SuperTags
    • Antelope, Bighorn Sheep, Bison, Deer, Elk, Moose, Mountain Goat, and Mountain Lion –July 1
  • Mountain Lion Special Licenses – July 22

For more information on Montana hunting licenses and permits, go to fwp.mt.gov/buyandapply/hunting-licenses.

NASA tests the new Starship Docking System

The Apollo Program delivered 12 American astronauts to the surface of the Moon. But that program ended in 1972, and since then, no human beings have visited. But Artemis will change that. And instead of just visiting the Moon, Artemis’ aim is to establish a longer-term presence on the Moon. That requires more complexity than Apollo did. Astronauts will need to transfer between vehicles.

All of that activity requires a reliable spacecraft docking system.

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Lunar Lander Docking System
NASA, SpaceX – Starship Lunar Lander Docking System (tap or click on image to enlarge)

SpaceX and NASA recently performed full-scale qualification testing of the docking system that will connect SpaceX’s Starship Human Landing System (HLS) with Orion and later Gateway in lunar orbit during future crewed Artemis missions. Based on the flight-proven Dragon 2 active docking system, the Starship HLS docking system will be able to act as an active or passive system during docking.