Alien Weaponry’s single Īhenga is absolutely great!
Alien Weaponry continue to share their history with the release of an artistic new music video for Tangaroa album track ‘Īhenga’. The video tells the story of Īhenga – perhaps the greatest explorer of the Te Arawapeople – and the nephew of one of the de Jong brothers’ ancestors, Kahumatamomoe.
The singing style on the track is known as mōteatea – an ancient form of poetry or chant sometimes used to convey who you are and where you come from by reciting your landmarks.
The band comment on the video: “When the Te Arawa people first came to Aotearoa (New Zealand) from Hawaiki (greater Tahitian Island group), they set about exploring the new land. Īhenga traveled throughout the North Island of Aotearoa and named many places that still have these names today.”