Story: Traditional Māori warfare – Riri

War dance, 1934

War dance, 1934

These Ngāti Tūwharetoa men perform the peruperu, a war dance with weapons. At the right moment all the warriors would leap in the air in unison, which is an awesome sight designed to put fear into the enemy.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, New Zealand Railways Collection (PAColl-5167)
Reference: 1/2-023706-g

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Basil Keane, 'Traditional Māori warfare – Riri - Preparations and entering into battle', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/37126/war-dance-1934 (accessed 9 December 2023)

Story by Basil Keane, published 20 Jun 2012