Haka
New Zealand Haka
The haka, a form of Maori dance, has come to be a symbol of pride and patriotism for all New Zealanders. Read on to find out more about the meaning of the haka, the All Black rugby haka and how to do the haka.
The NZS.com New Zealand haka article contains information on the meaning of the haka, the All Black rugby haka, haka actions, haka words and how to do the haka in NZ.
The New Zealand haka is a Maori dance that has taken on a life of its own as an important expression of cultural identity for New Zealanders. You will have seen the haka performed before rugby matches in New Zealand and around the world, but the reach of this Maori tradition extends beyond the playing field to the heart of New Zealand and Maori culture.
What is the haka?
'Haka' is a term referring to Maori dance in general, although in popular culture it is viewed as a war dance – an intimidating, fearsome challenge. In his book Maori Games and the Haka, Alan Armstrong describes the haka as a display that conveys 'challenge, welcome, exultation, defiance or contempt' through body actions and words. Others with a deep knowledge of the New Zealand haka say it combines passion, energy, emotion and discipline. While it may look like a unified performance, each participant is encouraged to be creative and spontaneous, interpreting the actions and using the entire body, from hands and feet, to legs, voice, tongue and eyes.
The All Blacks haka
The All Blacks version of the New Zealand haka is taken from the closing section of an ancient Maori dance, beginning with the cry: 'Ka mate, ka mate' meaning 'It is death, it is death' or 'I die, I die.' This war-like version of the haka involves loud chanting, aggressive body movements and fierce facial expressions; it is seen as a challenge thrown down by the All Blacks to their opponents on the field. The first haka in an overseas rugby match was performed by the New Zealand rugby team in Britain around 1888. In recent times, a new version of the haka has been performed by the All Blacks, with a war cry written by Ngati Porou's Derek Lardelli. The new version will be used alongside the popular 'Ka mate' version.
The Ka Mate haka words
The words of the 'Ka Mate' version of the haka are:
Ka mate! Ka mate! Ka ora! Ka ora!
Ka mate! Ka mate! Ka ora! Ka ora!
Tenei te tangata puhuru huru
Nana nei i tiki mai
Whakawhiti te ra
A upa ... ne! ka upa ... ne!
A upane kaupane whiti te ra!
I die! I die! I live! I live!
I die! I die! I live! I live!
This is the hairy man
Who fetched the sun
And caused it to shine again
One upward step! Another upward step!
An upward step, another.. the Sun shines!
How to do the haka
Many New Zealand teams use the haka as a way to show the passion and pride they have in being from Aotearoa. Both Maori and non-Maori have embraced the haka as an expression of cultural identity. Browse sites online to learn how to do the haka or take a look at the haka book which contains full actions and instructions.
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Sports images from Flickr: All Blacks Haka, Yachts and Cricket.
