Haka
Ceremonial dances of Polynesian cultures, performed with vigorous movements and shouted accompaniment.
Haka are a variety of ceremonial dances in Maoli, Maohi, and Māori culture, performed by groups with vigorous movements, stamping feet, and rhythmically shouted accompaniment. Traditionally performed by both men and women for social functions throughout Polynesia, haka are used to welcome guests, acknowledge achievements, or mark funerals. In New Zealand, kapa haka groups are common in schools, and the main Māori performing arts competition, Te Matatini, occurs every two years.
- field
- Ceremonial dance
- culture
- Maoli, Maohi, Māori
- known_for
- Performed by groups with vigorous movements and shouted accompaniment; used by New Zealand sports teams before matches
- competition
- Te Matatini (every two years)
Lore & Background
According to Māori tradition, haka originated from a creation story involving the sun god Tama-nui-te-rā and his two wives, the Summer Maid Hine-raumati and the Winter Maid Hine-takurua. Haka originated in the coming of Hine-raumati, whose presence on still, hot days was revealed in a quivering appearance in the air, personified as 'Te Haka a Tānerore', the son of Hine-raumati and Tama-nui-te-rā. Haka includes various forms serving different ceremonial purposes, such as welcoming guests (haka pōwhiri), farewelling the deceased (waiata tangi), giving advice (waiata tohutohu), restoring self-respect (pātere), intimidating adversaries (peruperu – war dance), and transmitting social and political messages (haka taparahi, ngeri). The peruperu uses weapons, while haka taparahi is performed without weapons and is the more common ceremonial form.
Reader's Guide
Haka have been traditionally performed by both men and women for a variety of social functions throughout Polynesia. In modern times, haka are performed for welcoming distinguished guests, acknowledging great achievements, occasions, or funerals.
Did You Know?
- The Māori word haka has cognates in other Polynesian languages, including Samoan saʻa, Tokelauan haka, Rarotongan ʻaka, Hawaiian haʻa, and Marquesan haka.
- Haka include facial contortions such as showing the whites of the eyes (pūkana) and poking out the tongue (whetero, performed by men only).
- The 'Ka Mate' haka, attributed to Te Rauparaha, is classified as a haka taparahi – a ceremonial haka performed without weapons.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Haka?
Haka refers to a family of ceremonial dances rooted in Māori, Maohi, and Maoli traditions across Polynesia. Performers execute vigorous body movements, stomp their feet, and deliver rhythmic vocal shouts as a coordinated group.
Who performs Haka?
Both men and women traditionally take part in haka performances for a wide range of social occasions. In New Zealand today, kapa haka groups are a staple of school programs and community gatherings.
What occasions call for a Haka?
Haka serve multiple ceremonial purposes, from greeting arriving guests and celebrating achievements to honoring the deceased at funerals. They function as a way for a community to express collective emotion and solidarity in a single event.
What is Te Matatini?
Te Matatini is the premier Māori performing arts competition held in New Zealand every two years. It features kapa haka groups alongside other traditional art forms, making it a major showcase for haka performers.
Why do New Zealand sports teams perform Haka before games?
Teams such as the All Blacks adopted haka as a pre-match ritual to project unity and intensity to their audience. This practice has made the form globally recognizable far beyond its original Polynesian context.
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