manawataki
1. (verb) to be rhythmical.
I ngā wā o mua ehara te haka i te mahi heahea noa iho. He wā tōna i runga kē i te haka te mana o te iwi e pupuri ana. Ka mutu kia tohunga tonu te kaitaki, kia manawataki, kia ihonui (Te Ara 2017). / In former times, the haka was not a trivial pastime. Eventually a tribe’s reputation was staked on their ability to perform the haka. The leader also had to be an expert, to be rhythmical and influential.
2. (noun) rhythm, cadence, beat.
E tauparoro ana ngā māpara kia ū ai rātou ki te manawataki o te kanikani (PK 2008:394). / The castanets are playing so that they can keep to the rhythm of the dance.
