The performance of the New Zealand Maori haka is not only a powerful way to challenge opponents prior to rugby and other sporting events, but also an integral part of Maori culture and tradition. It is used to welcome visitors, during protests, when celebrating triumphs and other cultural activities.
The Origins of the Haka
Maori myths and legends tell of the beginnings of the haka as coming from the sun god Ra. Ra had two wives: Hine-raumati who represented summer, and Hine-takurua, who was the essence of winter. Ra and Hine-raumati had a son named Tanerore. According to legend, the light that shimmers on a hot summer's day is Tanerore performing for his mother. According to Wira Gardiner in Haka: A Living Tradition, "the wiriwiri or trembling shimmer is today reflected in the trembling of the performer's hands".
Several Maori legends refer to haka and indicate that this mesmerising song and dance has been performed since early times.
Types of Haka
There are different types and variations of haka and what is performed depends upon context. While many people think it is a war dance, the haka can be used for a variety of activities. Haka are performed either with, or without weapons. Certainly the haka was used as a war dance by Maori warriors and it was performed in an exuberant way to convey meaning, as well as to excite the performer. The aim was to intimidate the enemy and work the warriors up into a state of frenzy before launching into battle. Facial expressions such as the rolling back of the eyes to show the whites (whakatea), protusion of the tongue (whetero) as well as other facial contortions, bring a show of ferocity to the performance.
Today, sporting teams such as the All Blacks exemplify this "challenge" as they prepare to pit their skills and strength against the opposing team.
The Ka Mate HakeThe most commonly used and well-known haka is Ka Mate. The words chanted are as follows:
A Ka mate! Ka mate!
Ka ora! Ka ora!
Ka mate! Ka Mate!
Ka ora! Ka ora!
Tenei te
Tangata
Puhuruhuru
Nana nei i tiki mai whakawhiti te ra!
A, hupane!
A, kaupane!
Whiti te
Ra!
Wiri Gardener notes that the haka has been performed overseas for nearly a century and has "come to symbolise the power of the All Blacks and their place in world rugby".
To many New Zealanders, in particular, it is a wonderful thrill to witness the spectacle of the haka. Nowadays, it has been adopted as a national icon by both Maori and Pakeha (non-Maori) people alike. The haka provides a point of connection amongst New Zealand people and, for many, has become a defining part of their identity.
Source:
Gardiner, Wiri. Haka: A Living Tradition. Auckland: Hodder Moa Beckett, 2001.
