The Haka Dance

THE HAKA DANCE

The Haka forms a crucial cornerstone of Maori culture (K .M . Teaiwa Haka which literally means fiery breath ' has been New Zealand 's national identity . When someone hears Haka he would consequently think of New Zealand and when someone says New Zealand it would mean Haka Haka is actually a generic name for all Maori dances . It has been known as a war dance because of common knowledge and belief that is performed by the natives of New Zealand as a dance before going to war . However those who

seek a deeper knowledge on the origin , nature and purpose of the dance will be able to find out that Haka , in its many forms and style , means more than a dance to the Maori culture . Haka for the New Zealanders is a dance of life

ORIGINS OF THE HAKA

There are several myths and legends attributed to the origin of the Haka . One of the most famous stories was the story which says that Haka originated from the birth of Tane-rore born of Hine-raumati (summer maid ) from the god of the Sun Tama-nui-t-ra . During hot summer days , the light from the sun which seems to be dancing was believed by the natives to be Tane-rre , dancing in honor of his mother . It is in this legend where the wiriwiri ' or the trembling of the hands in the haka dance is attributed . In another legend the Haka dance originated from the experience of the chief Tinirau and his womenfolk (tourism .net ) In his vengeance for the death of his pet whale , the chief sent women to hunt the priest who killed his pet . The priest was said to have an uneven teeth and that was the only clue the women have in to recognize the priest . What the women did was to perform the Haka in to force a smile from the Kae (priest . The women succeeded and that they were able to take the priest to the chief and was then killed . The words of the Ka Mate used as chant in the Haka Dance was said to have been composed by the chief named Te Raupahara as early as circa 1820 , when he was pursued by his enemies . As he flees , he uttered Ka Mate , Ka Mate ' which means I die , I die ' The great warrior chief ran for his life and hid himself in a Kumara pit on which Te Wharerangi 's wife sat on the entrance . After the pursuers leave the place and Te Raupahara was safe , he said , Ka Ora , ka ora ! Tenei te tangata puhuruhuru nana nei i tiki mai whakawhiti te ra (I live , I live ! For this is the hairy man who has fetched the sun and caused it to shine again ) From the pit to the courtyard , Te Wharerangi performed his composed Haka before the hairy man , Te Rangikoaea , and the people

In the pre-European times , Haka is performed as a part of the formal process when...