Haka

The haka (/ˈhɑːkə/; plural haka, in both Māori and English) is a ritual dance of the Maori, the native people of New Zealand. Sometimes, a haka is performed to excite friends and to scare enemies. In peace time, a haka is performed as a challenge.

A haka can include:

• voice (chanting)
• feet (stamping and leaping)
• hand (slapping, waving and clapping)
• eyes (rolling)
• tongue (poking out)

There are many different haka. Each tells a story. The most famous haka is Ka Mate. The Ka Mate haka is performed by many New Zealand sports teams before games. Another famous haka is 'Kapo O Pango' which is performed by New Zealand's rugby union team. This team is called the All Blacks.

Women are not usually allowed to perform haka. Instead, they sing and chant in support.

Haka Media

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  Haka is a traditional genre of Māori dance. This painting dates from c. 1845.

• All Blacks performing a haka (Dunedin, 2014)

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  19th-century illustration of a haka, c. 1890

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  A group of men and women perform a haka for Governor Lord Ranfurly at Ruatoki, Bay of Plenty, 1904

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  Māori Battalion haka in Egypt, 1941