manu ngangahu
1. (noun) woman who performs on the side of the haka group - to encourage and energise the performers. Women most skilled in pūkana and wielding weapons took on this role.
Ki a au nei, kei ngā kaitakitaki kei ngā kaiwhakahaere o ngā kapa haka hoki tētahi wāhi nui hei whakawana, hei whakaoho i te kapa haka a ngā tāne, ā, tae noa ki ngā manu ngangahu hei taotao, hei whāngai haere i ngā taha (K 1993: 69). / I feel that leaders and tutors of the haka groups have a crucial role in bringing their groups alive including the 'manu ngangahu' whose function is to perform to either side of the group (K 1993: 69).
See also manu
