h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

And what do you think of it?

There is some debate in New Zealand about the ubiquitous use of the haka especially overseas. So I'm wondering if you could answer the following questions:

1. Do you know what the haka is?

2. What do you think the haka is about?

3. Have you seen the haka performed (in real life or on TV, please specify)?

4. If you have seen the haka performed, what was the context?


cheers,
kea.

It's a fish, isn't it?

B

Me, me, I know! Or I think I do.

I think the haka is a traditional Maori 'dance' - if that's the right word. I think it's a folk story of some sort. I've seen it on TV at Rubgy games, and it's awesome

I've seen the haka perfomed in Rotorua, but it *was* in one of those touristy Maori performances (at one of the geo-thermal areas).

I can understand that it would be quite intimidating to see my enemies performing it. I guess that's the intention.

The New Zealand rugby team do it before their matches, don't they? Isn't it a dance performed to scare the enemies before a battle? A bit like the Gaelic bagpipes.

1. yes
2. not sure, think I'd have guessed a war dance but I've read it in this thread so I can't be sure
3. on TV
4. before a rugby match

an advert in the UK for a drink that featured a group of women doing it was withdrawn after complaints

Hi Kea...

I've always understood the haka to be a ceremonial challenge; is that in any way correct? The last time I saw it performed was at a multicultural food fair a few months ago, and that was a bit odd as it looked like a ceremonial challenge to the sauerkraut-&-wurst stall opposite. (I suspect that wasn't the intention.)

The haka is generally recognised in these parts as a distinctly NZ thing, and it barely raises an eyebrow. There are places where it doesn't seem right to me, though. Gallipoli is one of them. That place is basically a graveyard, and ritually threatening the hosts in a graveyard probably isn't the nicest thing to do. Bad form, in fact.

On a sportsfield, on the other hand, it's quite an impressive piece of work. (Personally, I think it's the *only* interesting thing I've ever seen at a sporting venue. )

Ivan.

1. Do you know what the haka is? Yes

2. What do you think the haka is about? New Zealand Maori Tribal Dance

3. Have you seen the haka performed (in real life or on TV, please specify)? TV only All Backs New Zealand Rugby team and BBC TV pre show leaders, and on Billy Connallys World Tour of New Zealand

4. If you have seen the haka performed, what was the context? See above

1. Do you know what the haka is? Yes

2. What do you think the haka is about? A war dance/challange

3. Have you seen the haka performed (in real life or on TV, please specify)? Yes on TV

4. If you have seen the haka performed, what was the context? Before an All Black's rugby match

OK, my sensible answers. I know it's not a fish really.

My tunderstanding is that it is an invocation (to the God of the mountains, possibly?) for assistance in an upcoming trial. Traditionally used when going to battle. Obviously most of us have seen it at an All Blacks' match, but Rory McGrath (British comedian) knows it word-perfectly too.

Go Here http://www.haka.co.nz/haka.php

or here...
http://www.tvwhirl.co.uk/bbc12002.html
needs real player to view
half way down page

'tounge out'

Surely the point of this thread is to collect people's reactions, misconceptions and opinions of the haka, rather than to find out what it actually is...

B

I like watching the All Blacks do the Haka, it's a tradition thing and it's important to them and it wouldn't be an All Blacks match if it was left out, it's important to see the opposition teams reaction to it too. Has anyone seen the Western Samoa team's 'haka'?, sorry but I have no other word for it.

Yes, the point of the thread *is* "to collect people's reactions, misconceptions and opinions of the haka, rather than to find out what it actually is..."

Thanks for the input so far. I'm waiting 'til there is a good stack of answers before I reply.



kea.

Yeah, I've seen the All Blacks do it on TV. Didn't really know why, but I figured it was a bit like their version of singing the national anthem. And someone doing it in a program about New Zealand. If it is a ritual challenge, it certainly looks better than giving someone the finger. My flatmate has a translated version of the words, sounds like a sort of prayer.

This is probably all wrong but, I think the haka is a combined dance/chant that Maoris traditionally performed whenever strangers visited their land.

Although it looks a bit absurd, I think it contains bits that are supposed to look threatening and they are watching you for reactions carefully while performing it probably to see if you are frightened.

I have only ever seen the All Black rugby team doing it on TV before their games. It definitely looks as if they are trying to unsettle their opponents.

I think its awfully rude cos they stick their tongues out and I wouldn't allow it.

The sticking out of the tongue is part of tribal tradition in that part of the world in and around the Polyniesian Islands

"The sticking out of the tongue is part of tribal tradition in that part of the world in and around the Polyniesian Islands"

Maybe so, but my gran told me it was rude.

Seriously, I'll be really interested to hear what the haka is all about if it gets revealed here.