Fire performance

Fire performance typically involves equipment or other objects made with one or more wicks which are designed to sustain a large enough flame to create a visual effect.

Fire performance includes skills based on juggling, baton twirling, poi spinning, and other forms of object manipulation.

Some aspect of fire performance can be found in a wide variety of cultural traditions and rituals from around the world.

One of the earliest mentions of fire performance was at the ceremony of Simchat Beit HaShoeivah during the holidays of sukkot of the Second Temple by the Jews in Jerusalem Circa 10AD - 70AD.

Jamaica, French Polynesia, Antigua, Cuba and Saint Lucia are other locations where fire dances are recreated for (and by) tourists.

The Siddha Jats of the Thar Desert in India perform traditional fire dances as part of the Spring festival.

It is believed that the Māori people of New Zealand would soak a ball attached to string in fuel, light it and perform dancing rituals.

"Poi" is a Māori word meaning "ball on a string" making the Maori people the originators of the flow equipment still popular today.