03/21/2006
Kiwis Rock the Haka
Officials at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne think the amount of times the New Zealand teams have performed their "haka" at events is distracting. I'll say (but in a good way). Popularized by the New Zealand All Blacks rugby team as an energetic team rouser/cheer/ritual. Particularly effective when shirts are doffed.
I have to say I've never experienced the haka before but it looks a tad more butch than lip-synching to "Total Eclipse of the Heart."
Even the swim team chose to honor their gold medallist Moss Burmeister by getting into it.
Posted 10:27 AM EST by Andy Towle in Sports | Permalink
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Sounds tribal. Could it be some Maori thing?
Posted by: max | Mar 21, 2006 11:46:29 AM
You're right. It is a Maori war chant, Max. Maori's used it as a form of intimidation of their enemies, which is why the Kiwi football teams have always done it before a game (psychological advantage). Sometimes you can tell if the All Black will win, based on how well their Haka went down. Apparently all New Zealand men learn how to perform the Haka, but women are not allowed to (of course). I think the Commonwealth Games officals are just spitting sour grapes.
Posted by: azhure | Mar 21, 2006 1:09:10 PM
Mmmm. My tight ass and a lockerroom full of HAWT New Zealand rugby players. Awww fantasies!
Posted by: Toto | Mar 21, 2006 1:32:25 PM
Your ass might not be tight for long if you live that fantasy.
Posted by: Donald | Mar 21, 2006 1:42:59 PM
hi
yeah the swim team supporters doing the haka were hot. seems the haka has become the national way to challenge at the beginning of a sporting event and celebrate success post-event. the aussies are jealous they have no comparable unique ritual.
all the best from auckland, new zealand.
Posted by: stephen | Mar 21, 2006 2:11:49 PM
I suspect that this dance and the videos of our Commonwealth brothers is just the " uncut gay version"
Posted by: Raymond | Mar 21, 2006 3:58:01 PM
Intimidation (Azhure) and jealous (Stephen), huh?
Is that why as of this morning (22 March) the Aussies have only won 141 medals at the Commonwealth Games (53 gold, 47 silver, 41 bronze) to New Zealands all so stunning haul of 16? (2 gold, 4 silver, 10 bronze).
Oh yeah, thats it. We must be so intimidated and jealous ;-)
Posted by: Bodhi | Mar 21, 2006 4:49:45 PM
>I have to say I've never
>experienced the haka before but
>it looks a tad more butch than
>lip-synching to "Total Eclipse
>of the Heart."
If you want to see more of this, rent Whale Rider. (Also a good film in its own right.)
Posted by: huh@huh.com | Mar 21, 2006 6:10:38 PM
Thanks for all the rugby coverage, Andy. It's a great sport and I hope more Americans come to play/enjoy it as I do.
Posted by: Robert | Mar 21, 2006 6:10:49 PM
I think the use of haka reflects a major maturation of New Zealand culture. Like most colonial nations, the indigenous population of New Zealand, the Maori, have faced considerable racism and discrimination. Adoption of the haka reflect greater respect and integration of Maori cultural traditions into the national culture.
Australia, unfortunately, still has a ways to go in dealings with its indigenous people. The U.S., however, pretty much decimated the Native Americans and has reduced their culture highlights into new age babble/noble savage worship (South Park did a great send up on this) or the wishful thinking to having some far off Native ancestry in an attempt to either prove a connection to American soil (haven't you heard someone proudly proclaim that she's 1/64 Navajo!!).
n
Posted by: noah | Mar 21, 2006 7:57:42 PM
I remember learning the Haka at primary school, when I was about seven. The Mâori chanting is hard when you only speak a few words of the language!
Posted by: Daniel | Mar 21, 2006 10:08:06 PM
Check out HGB for more Haka news http://www.hotguyblog.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Joey | Mar 23, 2006 12:12:12 AM
Most of us Aussies think the Haka's great - but it's gone from being a special occasion thang to being ho-hum and devalued by overuse.
I was in Auckland last week and the letters to the editor page of their newspaper overwhelmingly showed that most Kiwis seemed to agree.
Again - a great spectacle/tradition - certainly wish we had one as good! - but save it for big ticket items.
Posted by: Ron | Mar 25, 2006 6:11:05 PM
The Kiwis aren't the only team to perform a haka.
At the Rugby 7's comp in Melbourne last week we were treated to the hunky Tongan team performing their war cry to the crowd, whilst doing a lap after they'd bowed out of the competition.
The Kenyans, after doing a cool tribal dance, stripped off their shirts and joined the Tongans in a sexy display of black and brown braun and beauty!
Posted by: paul3onthetree | Mar 26, 2006 8:32:46 PM
I'm a South African and rugby without the All Blacks HAKA is like the earth with no OXYGEN=NOTHING WILL SURVIVE!! Aussies are just jealous because the All Blacks attract so much popularity to rugby through their haka and they (aussies) have nothing to match that but POOR OLD WALTZING MATILDA!! Shame bless her heart!!The Kapa O pango haka against us (SA) was the winning tactic, because it was new and aggressive. Tana was the key and Auron Mauger in front with Weepu's tongue, that was a scary sight from my lounge, how much more live in NZ!!!All Blacks are the BOMB!!
Posted by: Thabo Spelman | Jul 14, 2006 10:16:00 AM
I saw the Haka performed in person for the first time at the Churchill Cup in California by the Maori of New Zealand. I was thrilled to see it, since I had only seen it online. Sitting with Maori players who live here now made it even more special. My favorite online Haka was led by tana Umaga when he was with the All Blacks.
Long live the Haka!
Posted by: California Girl | Sep 28, 2006 9:10:08 PM
wow the guys in my school (i live in BC canada) had to learn it and preform it for the whole class. the girls had to hula.
it was hell.
Posted by: allison | Oct 3, 2006 10:31:52 PM
poos and wees
Posted by: liam | Aug 8, 2007 7:48:10 PM