The 11-year-old Balaclava School pupil had a traditional Maori moko drawn on yesterday for his performance at Otago Polyfest 2016 — the Otago Early Childhood and Schools’ Maori and Pacific Island Festival, at the Edgar Centre in Dunedin.
He is fiercely proud of his Maori heritage.
Balaclava School teacher Shane Parker said Omar was one of about 40 pupils from the school to take part in the performance.‘‘It’s great for all the kids, building up their confidence and showing pride in Maori culture.
"They see the value in it, and the Maori children are seeing the pride in their own culture. It’s an opportunity for them to show a piece of themselves and show pride in who they are."
The school had "sown the seeds" and the pupils had cultivated them, Mr Parker said.
The group had been rehearsing for about 90 minutes every Friday, and as the Polyfest neared, they had increased that to two rehearsals a week, he said.
"They’ve been practising really hard, having extra practices on their own at lunchtime."
You could often see the girls practising their poi at the school gate before and after school, he said.
"The kids just love it. They take it very seriously."
The school’s pupils are among 6000 from around the region participating in the annual festival, which finishes tomorrow.
