When we think of Maori dance, the traditional dance of the indigenous people of New Zealand, we envision strong poses, wide-opened staring eyes, extended tongues, trembling hands and visceral shouts. Combine these powerful and unique traits with the elegance, strength and grace of modern dance and you get Atamira Dance Collective, performing Sunday at the Kennedy Theatre.

Founded in 2000, and made up of gifted young Maori choreographers and dancers, all trained at New Zealand's leading dance centers, Atamira's work draws on Maori history, legends and personal stories. Its fusion of modern dance and traditional haka (Maori war dance), distinguishes it from most dance companies working today. The name of the company is itself symbolic, relating to the platform for a dead body or the process of caring for the dead.

As one New Zealand critic raved: "The Atamira Dance Collective goes from strength to strength and is now the hot spot of contemporary dance in Auckland."

The company's choreographers create works inspired by Aotearoa's history, legends and contemporary issues. Its 10 core members, all of Maori descent, are dedicated to sharing their stories, whether personal or communal. The dancers come from diverse iwi (tribes) of New Zealand. As the group's Web site explains, "We are passionate about sharing our stories and asserting the unique and important voice Maori have in New Zealand."

The major work on the program will be "Ngai Tahu 32" by choreographer Louise Potiki Bryant. Ngai Tahu is the name of a tribe from south New Zealand to which the choreographer's family belongs. In preparing to make the dance, Bryant spent a year researching her own genealogy through a collection of historical files about the tribe; she discovered that her great-grandfather was labeled "Number 32" in the files. Using his life story as inspiration, she has created a powerful and unique interdisciplinary dance-theater piece incorporating video projection, set design and a sound-score using traditional song, haka and a woman's call of welcome.

The dance follows one man's journey through time and whakapapa (genealogy/tribal links). Drawing on personal family history, the work not only reflects thoughts and experiences of contemporary Maori but is a universal tale of struggle, loss and, ultimately, redemption. As with much of the company's work, "Ngai Tahu 32" is highly metaphorical and can be interpreted in many ways.

Atamira will also perform a number of shorter works from its repertoire, including a romantic duet based on a Maori legend, a dance inspired by a personal family history, and a more abstract piece using, as its primary source material, the idea of traditional carving.

In addition to its O'ahu performance and outreach activities, the company continues a tour to Kaua'i and the Big Island. See Neighbor Island calendar, Pages 28-29.