Haka - All Blacks' style
| Haka - All Blacks' style |
No introduction to New Zealand would be complete without a short discussion
of "the haka".
The first experience that most non-New Zealanders have with a haka is from watching the New Zealand
All Blacks rugby squad intimidate their opponents prior to a game.
Shouting, chanting, leaping, foot stomping, fist shaking, posturing, leg slapping, eye staring
and tongue gestures make up a form of dance which is used as a challenge to visitors
or adversaries and as a sign of the performers' fitness.
"Haka" means "dance". Although most commonly performed by men, we saw an impressive haka performed impromptu by a group of women from the audience to salute the Maori
competitor that won the World Sheep Shearing Championship 2002
in Masterton. The intensity and energy of such a demonstation seen close-up
is something you will remember a long time.
The twirling ball dance performed by women is the "haka poi". It is
seen at most demonstrations of Maori song and dance.
When performed sitting in a row instead of standing, it is the "waka poi"
or canoe poi dance that could be performed while sitting or kneeling in a canoe.
There are many traditional hakas, at least one for every Maori tribe.
The most familiar, the one made famous by the All Blacks rugby team, is the
"Te Rauparaha Haka" composed by the great Tainui chief Te Rauparaha in 1821.
It is a haka taparahi - a pre-fight challenge.
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