The Haka
The haka is a traditional Maori dance often wrongly referred to as war dance because of its loud and fierce nature. Many different versions of The Haka exist. The most famous is the "Ka Mate" or "Te Rauparaha" haka, performed by the All Blacks rugby union team before international matches.
Origins of The Haka
Each Maori tribe had its own haka, designed to show the fitness and prowess of its warriors. The best known is the Te Rauparaha haka, named after the chief of the Ngati Toa tribe, one of the last great Maori warriors. He was said to have performed the dance after successfully hiding from his enemies with the help of a hairy local chief.
The Haka Controversy
Often the haka performed by the All Blacks is accused of being deliberately intimidating and unsporting. Usually opposing teams watch it respectfully in silence. However, some teams choose to completely ignore it and others elect to stand nose-to-nose with the All Blacks in open defiance of it. Love it or hate it there is no doubt the haka is part of the heritage of the game of rugby union.
The Haka Words
Ringa pakia
(Slap the hands against the thighs)
Uma tiraha
(Puff out the chest)
Turi whatia
(Bend the knees)
Hope whai ake
(Let the hip follow)
Waewae takahia kia kino
(Stamp the feet as hard as you can)
Ka mate! Ka mate!
(It is death!, It is death!)
Ka ora! Ka ora!
(It is life!, It is life!)
Ka mate! Ka mate!
(It is death! It is death!)
Ka ora! Ka ora!
(It is life! It is life!)
Tenei Te Tangata Puhuru huru
(This is the hairy man)
Nana nei tiki mai
(Who fetched the sun)
Whakawhiti te ra
(And caused to shine again)
A upa ne ka up ane
(One upward step, another upward step)
Upane, Kaupane
(An upward step)
Whiti te ra
(The sun shines!)