Gateway Chronicle 2021

89
Hidden Voices
The Haka: History Hidden in
Plain Sight
The vigorous thigh slapping, eye bulging, and blood
curling roaring of the haka is perhaps most synonymous
with the New Zealand rugby team, nicknamed
the All Blacks. Performed before the kick-off
of every match the haka has become symbolic of
New Zealand rugby, many seeing it as a metaphor
of their aggressive, high tempo and free flowing
style of rugby, however, the true meaning and
purpose of the haka is hidden in plain sight. The
haka is steeped in Maori mythology and history. A
tribe originating from Tahiti, the Maori migrated
to modern day New Zealand in the 14 th Century in
an event that is described as the arrival of a great
fleet who rowed and sailed across the Pacific Ocean
in small wooden boats. Therefore, the origins of
the Haka actually derive first from French Polynesia
and not New Zealand. Nevertheless, the Haka
has become a staple in New Zealand’s culture often
being performed at life events such as weddings,
funerals and birthdays, as well as in national events.
However, the true meaning and purpose of the
Haka is not a sort of theatrical performance. First
and foremost the Haka was performed as an aggressive
war dance to intimidate foe and as a way to
prepare a tribe for battle. When two groups would
meet on the battlefield, they would both perform
their own version of the Haka, it was a formality
that was steeped in tradition. The obvious goal of
this is intimidation of the enemy tribe before battle,
however, it also a ritual that holds its roots in Maori
legend and mythology. The sun god Tama-nui-te-ra
and one of his wives, Hine-raumati, who embodies
the essence of summer, had a son named Tane-rore.
The Maori believed that the shimmering heat haze,
the kind you can
often see over the
grass on a hot day
or coming out the
back of planes at the
airport, was Tanerore
dancing for his
mother. As a result,
the haka emulated
this light, rapid
movement, with the
typical trembling
hands representing
Above: a painting from c.1845 depicting the Haka
Tane-rore’s dance. Therefore, the haka also served
as a ritual to the Maori gods and performed on the
battlefield or during life events it acted almost like
a prayer or request for a blessing. Thus, it is unsurprising
that the haka is still performed during life
events to this day just like how other religions and
cultures around the world have their own ways of
praying or seeking a blessing.
When it comes to the performance of the haka before
All Blacks games, it is a fairly recent addition.
The style of haka performed by the All Blacks is
the ‘Ka Mate’ which was first composed in 1820 by
the Maori chief Te Rauparaha. The All Blacks began
performing the Ka Mate Haka in the early 20 th
Century; however, this was often only done at away
games. It was often performed poorly, half-heartedly
and often as a spectacle rather than something of
substance with true umph and meaning. It was only
when the New Zealand rugby legend, Wayne ‘Buck’
Shelford, took the reigns of the All Blacks that the
haka was taken seriously. Shelford forced the whole
team to learn it and to understand the true meaning
behind the haka in order to instil the passion
required to execute it properly. Nowadays the haka
is performed with passion and intensity. As a result,
the vigorous thigh slapping, eye bulging, and blood
curling roaring of the haka has become an intimidating
pre-match formality for any team coming
up again. Perhaps more importantly, the haka has
become a symbol of Maori culture and synonymous
with New Zealand.
Alex Wilkinson U6LAB