The Haka


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The Haka

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The Te Rauparaha Haka

The Haka is designed to give courage and determination to the people performing it. It is a traditional Māori dance and has many different forms. It is a common belief that the Haka is performed as a dance before going to war however Haka can be performed with or without weapons and have very different meanings.

The most common form of Haka is 'Ka Mate', you may have seen the All Blacks perform this before international rugby games. The pukana (bulging eyes) and whetero (poking out of the tongue) are two very common parts of the Haka.

Process

Before the Haka is performed by the team, the Haka leader, normally an All Black of Māori descent, will instigate the Haka and spur on those who are to perform the Haka with the following:

Māori

English

Ringa pakia,

Uma tiraha,

Turi whatia,

Hope whai ake,

Waewae takahia kia kino.

Slap the hands against the thighs,

Puff out the chest,

Bend the knees,

Let the hip follow,

Stamp the feet as hard as you can.