The Maori were the indigenous inhabitants New Zealand and theirs
was a rich repertoire of culture and tradition. These varied from
the myths, legends, songs and dances, rituals and beliefs and all
other aspects of culture and tradition practiced by the Maori. The
Maori Haka is one of the most famous traditions and refers to all
types of Maori dances. There were Haka mainly for the men and particularly
the warriors, for the women, mixed groups and the simple Haka for
the children. The Maori Haka mate has been made popular today by
the New Zealand rugby team also known as the All Blacks and by the
Kiwi rugby league where teams perform before their matches.
The Maori Haka had a big reputation such that the tribe literally
depended on it. The complex performances were an expression of vigor,
passion and were an identity of the tribe. The dances were used
as a pastime to derive enjoyment and bring the Maori together, welcome
and entertain guests and visitors of the tribe, recognize achievement,
by warriors before war and for many other reasons different from
the notion many people have that the Haka are exclusively war songs
and dances performed by men. The origin of the dances is traced
back to the sun god and the summer maid called Tama-nui-to -ra and
Hine-raumati respectively. The original warrior dance was composed
by a warrior chief by the name Te Rauparaha who upon surviving the
onslaught of the enemy was jubilant of the escape. The haka performed
during war were called peruperu. An example of this is the ka-mate
Haka and is the popular Maori Haka performed by the all blacks as
an embodiment of preparedness, determination, skill and commitment
as was resplendent with the warriors of the Maori just before war.
The war haka had to performed in unison to appease the gods of the
In present times, the Maori Haka is performed without the traditional
weapons but they have not lost the various vigorous actions that
accompany the dances. The actions are varied and employ a lot of
vigor and they include slapping the hands against the thighs, doing
contortions of the face, poking out the tongue, stamping the feet,
chest thumping and popping out the eyes to show the corneas (white
of the eye). These actions are performed alongside of chanted words,
war cries and noises. These movements and the synchrony created
will express many feelings like those of courage, joy, irritation
among others that may be demanded by an occasion.
The different genres of the Maori Haka are peruperu the war dances,
tutu ngarahu which involved jumping; ngeri performed without weapons,
Manawa wera haka a funeral dirge. Others are haka taparahi the ceremonial
dances, the whakatu waewae and the ka panapana performed by the
women. Presently when on a visit to New Zealand, you can get to
enjoy performances of the Haka at the traditional Maori theaters
and festivals and even get the history of the Maori, the meanings
and the translations to the different Haka and come to appreciate
the dances and culture of the Maori among other aspects like carving
| Maori Haka website
| Maori haka site explaining what 'haka' actually is
and what it means, as well as the many different styles of haka. Focussing
on Ka mate, the haka performed by the All Blacks, there are a few
paragraphs on its origin, a translation of the words, and a brief
description of how it relates to rugby.
New Zealand Maori Haka
The haka is a composition played by many instruments.
Hands, feet, legs, body, voice, tongue, and eyes all play their part
in blending together to convey in their fullness the challenge, welcome,
exultation, defiance or contempt of the words. It is disciplined,
yet emotional. More than any other aspect of Maori culture, this complex
dance is an expression of the passion, vigour and identity of the
race. It is at it's best, truly, a message of the soul expressed by
words and posture.
New Zealand maori haka, known also as the New Zealand maori war dance,
and maori war chant.
Watch the haka and learn to haka.