Ka mate ka mate, ka ora' ka ora'

[ciroccoj]

This week is our history book's "Bottom of the World" lesson, briefly outlining a bit of Australian and New Zealand ancient history. Found some very cool New Zealand stuff on hakas. Especially for relatively energetic (and sometimes distressingly violence-obsessed) little boys.

• Haka, From Wikipedia
  
  A haka is a traditional dance form of the Māori of New Zealand. It is a posture dance with shouted accompaniment, performed by a group.
  
  War haka, which had their own term, 'peruperu', were originally performed by warriors before a battle, proclaiming their strength and prowess in order to intimidate the opposition.
  
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haka
  
  
• Haka in popular culture, also from Wikipedia
  
  The use of haka in popular culture is a growing phenomenon, especially in New Zealand. Traditionally, haka were used only in Māori cultural contexts, but today haka are used in a wide range of public occasions to impart a sense of importance of the event.
  
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haka_in_popular_culture
  
  
• Maori Haka
  
  A mixed kapa haka team filmed in Palmerston North (Massey Uni Maori studies graduation show)(1:30s)
  
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-lrE2JcO44
  
  
• Adidas commercial (♥♥)
  
  This ad features the All Blacks, New Zealand's national rugby team, who do a haka before each match - and also happen to be the number one ranked team in the world. (31 seconds):
  
  http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x31t4r_all-blacks-maori-hakka_fun
  
  
• Explanation of the Haka of the All-Blacks, from our friend Wiki again
  
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haka_of_the_All_Blacks
  
  
• World Cup Rugby, 2006: New Zealand v. Tonga (♥♡♥♡)
  
  Most rugby teams apparently just stand and watch the All Blacks. Not the Tongans ;) (1:03s)
  
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOWy1vHrpxo

Total fangirl aside: on the LOTR Extra Features DVDs, there's a segment on the four months or so the crew spent filming the Battle of Helm's Deep. Apparently at one point the stuntmen on the ground (mostly burly New Zealanders acting the part of Orcs and Uruk-Hai), decided to do a haka at the stuntmen on the walls (mostly slim New Zealanders being elves.) It was great and inspiring and everything, and gave everyone a bit of an adrenaline kick to counteract the tedium of long weeks spent standing in the dark getting rained on, but there was a downside. The elves got into the spirit of it too, and gave right back, and... well, stomping and yelling and sticking out your tongue and rolling your eyes, and slapping your arms, chest and thighs, may look great on an Uruk-Hai, but apparently it looks decidedly un-elvish. Some takes had to be edited for that ;)

Comments

[mama-rana.livejournal.com]

"Whale Rider" has some interesting Maori traditional stuff in it, including one scene at the end that sounds like it would be classified as a haka. It's an interesting movie even if you're not studying the "bottom of the world"! :D

[ciroccoj.livejournal.com]

Cool - thanks! Will look it up :)

[sangerin.livejournal.com]

I have this tendency to watch the beginning of New Zealand vs Australia rugby matches just for the Haka, and then switch off. It's amazing. (Must watch the clip of them paying Tonga!)

[ciroccoj.livejournal.com]

I have this tendency to watch the beginning of New Zealand vs Australia rugby matches just for the Haka, and then switch off.
LOL! That's me with pretty much the whole Olympics, unfortunately ;)

[13oct.livejournal.com]

I agree with the poster above. When ever my husband watched the All Blacks play, I too watch them do the Haka and then tune out. It's awesome watching them. *fangirl sigh*

[ciroccoj.livejournal.com]

Sounds like it. My dad used to play rugby. As I explained to my kids, it's like football except that the object of the game is not to get the ball to the other side; it's to get it there while crushing the other team. Their haka looks like the perfect way to get into the mindset ;D