Haka is a traditional war cry, dance, or Maori challenge from New Zealand. It is performed in a group, with energetic movements, stepping on the ground, and is accompanied by shouts. It was popularized by the New Zealand rugby team whose players perform a haka before every game.
Haka is not exclusively a war dance, and it is performed by both women and children for fun, to welcome guests, and to celebrate great results or success. The war haku (perupera) was originally performed by warriors before a battle, emphasizing their strength and heroism to intimidate opponents. In addition to perupera, there are hake whakatu waewae, tutu ngarahu, and the most famous Ka Mate dedicated to the Maori warlord Te Rauparahu.
The lyrics of the HAKA “Ka Mate Maori”
Kikiki! Kakaka!
Kauana kei waniwania taku tara
kei tarawahia, kei te rua i te kerokero!
He pounga rahui te uira
ka rarapa ketekete kau ana
To peru kairiri mau au e koro e!
Hi! Ha! – Ka wehi au ka matakana,
ko wai te tangata kia rere ure tirohanga
ngā rua rerarera
ngā rua kuri kakanui i raro! Aha ha!
Ka mate, ka mate! ka ora! ka ora!
Ka mate! ka mate! ka ora! ka ora!
Tēnei te tangata pūhuruhuru
Nāna nei i tiki mai whakawhiti te rā
Ā, upane! ka upane!
Ā, upane, ka upane, whiti te ra!
Haka translated to the English Language
Let your valor rise, Let your valor rage!
We’ll ward off these haunting hands
while protecting our children and wives.
For thee, I defy the lightning bolts of hell
while my enemies stand there in confusion!
O God – to think I would tremble
to a pack of wolves seeing fear, or running away
because they would surely fall in the pit of shame
as food for the hounds who chow down in delight!
I may die, I may die, I may live, I may live
I may die, I may die, I may live, I may live
This is the man
Who summons the sun and makes it shine
A step upward, another step upward!
A step upward, another step upward, the Sun shines!
