Haka in New Zealand

Introduction of Haka
The haka is a traditional Maori dance form and is one of the Maori cultures. Haka is a dance that beats the hand, stamps their foot, calls out, shows off their power and threatens the enemy and is performed by Maori soldier before the fight. The origin of Haka is old and it goes back before Maori ancestors have been settled down in New Zealand. And haka has symbolized New Zealand people’s boast and identities from of old. Also haka differs by each tribe and haka was not only performed by men but was performed by women. Today haka has become a unique form of national expression. The All Blacks, the international rugby union team of New Zealand, perform a haka before international game. By this performs, haka is known all over the world.

Legend of Haka
According to Maori legend, the haka was derived from the sun god, Tama-nui-te-ra. He had two wives, Hine-raumati, who was the summer goddess, and Hine-takurua, who was the winter goddess. He and Hine-raumati gave birth to a son called Tanerore. Haka is handed down from generation to generation that it was made by Tanerore and he did performance of haka for his mother.

History of Haka
The history of the Ka mate, the haka of the All Blacks, goes back to the early nineteenth century. Ka mate was composed by a Maori chief, Te Rauparaha in 1810. He was visiting Tuwharetoa, a tribe in the central North Island of New Zealand. He was chased by the enemy, sub-tribe of Tuwharetoa. The enemy was seeking to kill him to avenge a raid he had led on their village some years earlier, wiping out a section of their people. He was sent by the paramount chief of Tuwharetoa to be protected by another sub-tribe of Tuwharetoa under the chieftain of Wharerangi. Wharerangi hid him in a kumara (sweet potato) pit. The chanted karakia (incantations) by the pursuing warriors were intended to locate him. Howere, Te Rangikoae, the chief’s wife who had been assisting him, neutralized the incantations by positioning herself over the kumara pit. He was rescued by the chief and the chief’s wife and he danced with his whole the feeling of appreciation. The dance was the Ka mate. All Blacks performed the haka overseas first on their tour of England in 1888. The ‘original’ All Blacks tour of Britain in 1905-1906 performed Ka mate. This performs are mean to encourage the players and scare the opposing team.

The above picture is Te Rauparaha.

The Words of Ka mate
Ka mate! Ka mate! (I die! I die!)
Ka ora! Ka ora! (I live! I live!)
Ka mate! Ka mate! (I die! I die!)
Ka ora! Ka ora! (I live! I live!)
Tenei te tangata puhuruhuru (Behold! There stands the hairy man)
Nana nei i te tiki mai, whakawhiti t era! (Who will cause the sun to shine!)
A, upane! ka upane! (One step upwards…another step upwards)
A, upane! ka upane!
Whiti te ra (The sun shines!)

Clothes
Men are wearing only loincloths and women are wearing original brightly clothes which Maori designs is embroidered.

Tattoo
Maori people have tattoo on their face and thigh. Tattoo is called ‘moko’ in the Maori language. Maori tattoo symbolizes pride and courage of Maori. The design of men’s tattoo on his face has divided into the upper half and the lower half of the face and it is symmetry. The upper half mean family name and the lower half mean last name. The tattoo of men’s face shows a blood relation and a social belonging group. And friend or enemy is distinguished by the tattoo. Some Maori have tattoo on their thigh and was tattooed in intricate scrolls and spirals. Women usually had only the lips and chin decorated. The tattoo of the chin shows marriage.

Pendants
Most Maori are always putting on the pendant and there are various kinds of pendants. Each pendant has a meaning and Maori wish is put in it. Maori has the custom that they presented these pendants each other. Because Maori believe that Maori can get luck by putting on the presented pendant. I explain the kind of the pendant and the meaning of the pendant. In pendants, there are Hook, Koru, Crossover, Manaia. Hook was made from green stone. Green stone is called ‘Pounamu’ in the Maori language. And the pendant’s design is the fishhook of fish. Because this design has the important meaning related to provisions of life in the society of Maori. The tribe of Maori who settled down along the coast was spending self sufficiency life and they depend on marine products from sea. The pendant has a meaning powerful, decision power, health, prosperity and peace. Koru has a meaning growth and harmony. Crossover has a meaning love and friendship. The shape of Manaia consists that head is bird, form is human, and tail is fish. The pendant has a meaning the harmony of sky, earth and sea.

The above picture is the pendant of 'Hook'.

Conclusion
In the New Zealand society, haka is an important link for the Maori and the non-Maori to understand each other. For New Zealand of today the revival of the Maori culture is symbolized. And new movement to pick up the Maori culture positively has happened in a wide field of society and school training. Recently, many Japanese high schools and New Zealand high schools are doing international exchange. Also, in New Zealand, there is a contest that compete performance by tribe rivalry. Additionally there is an event ‘Aotearoa Traditional Maori Performing Arts Society Festival’ held once every two years. This event is televised and reaches a significant audience. Tens of thousands of people participate in this event. Haka is a part of the identity for New Zealand people even though they go to where on the earth.
Haka has been importantly succeeded from generation to generation. I have understood various things about haka and Maori. And I have understood that haka is an important link that ties Maori to non-Maori. Haka has been importantly succeeded by Maori communicates itself to me. I want everyone to know about haka.