Resources — Props

If you’ve ever watched a martial arts movie, attended Poly Fest or Pasifika Festival, or been to Hawaii or the Pacific Islands then you’ve probably seen a staff in action. The staff, a common prop, is not just restricted to flow arts - it's a well recognised tool in many other art forms and areas of life.
Staff spinning, like many other flow props, has been around in one form or another for thousands of years. The martial arts are one of the most common origins of prop manipulation, and the staff is no different.

Chances are you've heard of poi, seen someone spinning poi, or even had a go at spinning poi yourself. Poi are one of the most well known flow props across the globe, and are often the prop that gets people into flow arts. But did you know that poi originated here in Aotearoa and have an extremely fascinating history? Read on to learn more about poi, and the importance of poi in Māoridom and as a tool for holistic wellbeing.

S staff, buugeng, squiggle sticks, spiral staff; regardless of what they’re known as, they all share that same S shape that makes them look like an ancient samurai weapon, or a boomerang.

Typically, 2 or more S staffs are spun, juggled, and manipulated together to create mesmerising optical illusions, borrowing techniques from other props, such as double staff, hoop, fans, and even poi.

S staff are very young compared to many other props, with their story only beginning in 1991, with the video ‘In motion with Michael Moschen’.

There has been some controversy about the origins of S staff/buugeng over the years so it’s important to acknowledge the history of this prop and the significant contributions from artists across the globe that have played a part in the growth of this incredible art form.