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Rongomamau- Traditional Maori Grappling Art.

Rongomamau is the traditional Maori grappling art. It was used to train warriors, exercise, a pastime and to fight unarmed warriors on the battlefield.

The stories of Rongomamau hark back to a time when the gods of nature fought each other in the Paerangi (Battle of the Gods). Rongomamau was created to bring balance to nature. Each movement comes from nature,it is seen the gambolling of the clouds, the way the tree bends in the wind and the way a bird dives down from the sky. Hohepa Delamere was the last Amorangi(High Priest) of Te Whare Ahuru Rongomamau, the Priesthood where this art was passed down. His only student Timoti Pahi is the last Umutakarangi(Warrior Priest) who is continuing to teach this ancient art to future generations.