History of the Haka
Few international sporting teams possess a pre match ritual as powerful as the All Black’s Haka.
Whether it’s the more traditional Ka mate, Ka mate, first performed before an international rugby fixture by the New Zealand Native Team in 1888-89 or the recently composed Kapa O Pango, the Haka has played an integral role in ensuring All Black teams are physically and mentally prepared for battle on the rugby field.
The Haka is an ancient posture dance of the New Zealand Maori and was traditionally used to prepare a war party for conflict. It would be performed either on the battle field, prior to engagement with the enemy or as the war party was leaving their own village en route to a confrontation.
The ferocious nature of the Haka was important in creating a united frenzy among the war party to mentally prepare them for the reality of war and, equally as crucial, readying the muscles for the impending conflict.
The original All Black Haka, Ka mate, Ka mate, was composed in the early 19th century by famous Maori warrior chief of the Ngāti Toa Rangatira tribe, Te Rauparaha.
Te Rauparaha was fleeing an enemy tribe seeking retribution for a past wrong he had committed against them. As he was chased across the central plateau of the North Island, he was assisted by fellow chief Te Wharerangi, who hid Te Rauparaha in a pit and instructed his wife Te Rangikoaea to sit upon the entrance to the pit, concealing the pursued warrior beneath.
After an unsuccessful search the enemy continued on in pursuit of Te Rauparaha. The hidden warrior chief then emerged from the pit and in front of Te Wharerangi and his people performed Ka mate, Ka mate, a Haka he had composed while deep in the pit as a jubilant celebration of his lucky escape.
Ka mate, Ka mate was for many years the only Haka performed by the All Blacks, but on 27 August, 2005, at Carisbrook, Dunedin, a new Haka, Kapa o Pango, was unveiled before a match against traditional foes South Africa.
Kapa o Pango was written especially for the All Blacks by Derek Llardelli, an expert composer of Haka from the Ngati Porou tribe of the east coast of the North Island. The title Kapa o Pango roughly translates to mean All Blacks in English and the Haka also makes reference to another Kiwi sporting icon – the silver fern.
The All Blacks went on to win the match against the Springboks 31 – 27; however, the victory was somewhat soured by widespread criticism of the new Haka, and more particularly, the closing action of the Haka, that many mistook to be a distasteful, throat slitting gesture. Llardelli, in defence of his composition, was quick to explain that the concluding movement was not, in fact, a throat slitting gesture but instead a symbol of drawing vital energy into the body and was, therefore, fitting with the spirit of the Haka.
The decision on who leads the Haka, or which Haka is performed before an All Black test, is usually made by the team before the game. All Black management says it depends on how the team is feeling and who their opponents are.
A common misconception exists that Haka should only be performed by males. While this is certainly true for many Haka, there are particular Haka which can be performed by all, regardless of sex. There are even Haka performed only by women.
Source: Tourism New Zealand
Picture Copyright: James Heremaia and Becky Nunes
