Haka dance
June -Indigenous peoples day-New Zealand
The Haka is a ceremonial Māori war dance. It is usually performed in a group and represents a display of a tribe’s pride, strength, and unity. It looks martial in its movements with stomping of the feet, lion-like roars and sticking out the tongue towards the chin while doing rhythmic body slapping accompanied by loud chanting. The words of a Haka often poetically describe ancestors and events in the tribe’s history.
The Haka raises energy even in cold Rochester, NY where I first saw the Haka dance when my son’s swim team performed it before a swim competition. All the kids put dark paint on their faces in place of the traditional Maori tattoos and they looked FIERCE! I was left feeling teary -eyed and emotional at seeing the group unity and blown away at how quickly they learned the dance. I love seeing all different types of people speak with it in so many different situations. Life is emotional and feelings can be overwhelming but the Haka can act as a steam valve and as an energy intake in my opinion. The ancient indigenous people had a deep wisdom and insight when they created this dance.
Warriors used the Haka dance to prepare for battle mentally and physically, but it was also performed when groups came together in peace. Haka dancing is still enacted during ceremonies and celebrations sometimes to honor guests, at birthdays, graduations, weddings and even funerals. Haka is also used to challenge opponents on the sports field. The All Blacks, a New Zealand rugby team performs the haka before each match building up their energy, power, and unity.
They use ‘Ka Mate’ as their haka. It was composed in the 1820s by the Rangatira (chief), Te Rauparaha. This Haka has become famous around the world and has become part of many different sports teams’ pre game rituals. A New Zealand’s women’s rugby team performs a different Haka called ‘Ko Uhia Mai’ which means ‘Let it be known’ written by Whetu Tipiwai. People of Maori descent honor their cultural roots and traditions and the rest of us can enjoy the many different varieties of Haka dances too.
Maori legend states the Haka is a celebration of life. Tama-nui-te-ra, the sun god, and his wife Hine-Raumati, who embodies summer, had a son named Tane-rore who would dance for his mother. Tane-rore’s dancing would cause the air to quiver. This light,rapid quivering movement, like heat waves rising, is the foundation of all Haka. Tane-rore is still around in spirit all over the world as his dance grows ever more popular.
