Haka dance is considered as one of identities of the New Zealand people. When you are asked
“what do you know about New Zealand?”, Haka dance may be mentioned. Especially Ka Mate is well-known because of All Blacks’ performance before rugby games. Here I would like to talk about...
1. Basic Information of Haka
2. History of Ka Mate & Meaning of the words
3. Haka in present and future
For those who have never seen Haka dance, I will put a URL to a video of All Blacks’ performance (Ka Mate) here. Please check it out.
1. Basic Information
Haka means dance in the Maori language. (The Maori are indigenous people in New Zealand. They have lived in the islands way before the Europeans arrived. ) And the dance is very important for their culture, traditions, and themselves.
Alan Armstrong, who is an author of a book “Maori Games and Haka (Reed, 1964)” says, “More than any other aspect of Maori culture, this complex dance is an expression of the passion, vigour and identity of the race...”
The video that I put above is of Ka Mate, which is one kind of Haka dance. There are some styles in the dance. Ka Mate is originally a short free-form dance. They perform it as they feel. Because of the powerful and energetic appearance, many people misunderstand it as a war-dance. However, that’s not correct. You can know it by looking at some features. Let me compare Ka Mate with the Peruperu, which is a war dance. The former is performed without weapons while the latter is performed with them. Also the Peruperu has some high jump actions with legs folded underneath at the end, but Ka Mate does not have that kind of move.
However, in 1980’s to 1990’s, you could see those leg actions in Ka Mate performed by All Blacks. It was not a traditional way, and became controversial. Therefore, it was removed after 2000. Actually All Blacks’ Ka Mate is much arranged to make it more impressive or appreciate to the game of rugby, and it is very different from the traditional one.
2. History of Ka Mate & Meaning of the words
Next let’s see the history of Ka Mate.
Ka Mate was composed by Te Rauparaha. He was one of the most feared and respected chief in Maori history, and ruled a vast region like the whole coast from Wanguanui to Wellington, including Kapiti. Look at the map.
One day, he was fleeing from enemies, who were chiefs of other tribes, he came to village ruled by Te Wharerangi and asked for his protection. Te Wharerangi was reluctant, but eventually agreed and hid him in a Kumara pit (a hole to store sweet potatoes). To prevent the enemies from finding him, Te Wharerangi’s wife Te Rangikoaea sat over the entrance to the pit.
When the enemies approached the village, Te Rauparaha muttered, “Kamate! Kamate! (I die! I die!)”
And then one of the enemies said that he had gone to another place, so he muttered, “Ka ora! Ka ora! (I live! I live!)”
But another enemy doubted the words of Te Wharerangi and he muttered, “Kamate! Kamate!” once again.
Eventually, the enemies were convinced that he was not there and departed.
Te Rauparaha exclaimed with joy, “Ka ora! Ka ora!”
And the rest of the song goes following...
Tenei te tangata puhuru huru (This is the hairy man)
Nana nei tiki mai (Who fetched the Sun)
Whakawhiti te ra (And caused it to shine again)
“The hairy man” means Te wharerangi. Te Rauparaha shows his appreciation for him and the feeling of joy to be alive here.
A upa… ne! ka upa… ne! (One upward step! Another upward step!)
A upane kaupane whiti te ra! (An upward step, another… the Sun shines!)
Hi !!!
Upane means steps on the side of the pit. This part shows the scene when Te Rauparaha is going up on the steps one by one, and came out of the dark pit. I can imagine how he was happy at not only escaping from the almost death, but also coming out of the dark and uncomfortable kumara pit into the light of the day.
It is said this is how Ka Mate was composed. I do not know if it is true, but even if it is just a made-up story, I think it’s great. It’s very exciting and lively, and I could feel how tense the situation was when he was hiding in the pit.
Maori people don’t have written language, and they have passed their traditions to the next generations by telling stories. If other stories are interesting like this one, the children must want to know as many as possible!
3. Haka in present & future
Lastly, I would like to talk about the current situation of Haka.
In February 2009, Ka Mate was declared New Zealand’s intellectual property by the government. It will avoid the traditional dance from exploititation. It has been used for commercial purposes. The Maori people must be relieved, and I believe Ka Mate will be loved by many people for ever. I hope so!
If you want to know more about the news, check this out!
In this class, I learned a little about New Zealand. There are still a lot of things I don't know yet, and now I am really interested in everything about this wonderful country. Due to my personal reason, I cannot attend the class in the next sememster. I wish you good luck to all of you!
Thank you, Simon and my great classmates!
Kia Ora!!
1. Basic Information of Haka
2. History of Ka Mate & Meaning of the words
3. Haka in present and future
For those who have never seen Haka dance, I will put a URL to a video of All Blacks’ performance (Ka Mate) here. Please check it out.
1. Basic Information
Haka means dance in the Maori language. (The Maori are indigenous people in New Zealand. They have lived in the islands way before the Europeans arrived. ) And the dance is very important for their culture, traditions, and themselves.
Alan Armstrong, who is an author of a book “Maori Games and Haka (Reed, 1964)” says, “More than any other aspect of Maori culture, this complex dance is an expression of the passion, vigour and identity of the race...”
The video that I put above is of Ka Mate, which is one kind of Haka dance. There are some styles in the dance. Ka Mate is originally a short free-form dance. They perform it as they feel. Because of the powerful and energetic appearance, many people misunderstand it as a war-dance. However, that’s not correct. You can know it by looking at some features. Let me compare Ka Mate with the Peruperu, which is a war dance. The former is performed without weapons while the latter is performed with them. Also the Peruperu has some high jump actions with legs folded underneath at the end, but Ka Mate does not have that kind of move.
However, in 1980’s to 1990’s, you could see those leg actions in Ka Mate performed by All Blacks. It was not a traditional way, and became controversial. Therefore, it was removed after 2000. Actually All Blacks’ Ka Mate is much arranged to make it more impressive or appreciate to the game of rugby, and it is very different from the traditional one.
2. History of Ka Mate & Meaning of the words
Next let’s see the history of Ka Mate.
Ka Mate was composed by Te Rauparaha. He was one of the most feared and respected chief in Maori history, and ruled a vast region like the whole coast from Wanguanui to Wellington, including Kapiti. Look at the map.
One day, he was fleeing from enemies, who were chiefs of other tribes, he came to village ruled by Te Wharerangi and asked for his protection. Te Wharerangi was reluctant, but eventually agreed and hid him in a Kumara pit (a hole to store sweet potatoes). To prevent the enemies from finding him, Te Wharerangi’s wife Te Rangikoaea sat over the entrance to the pit.
When the enemies approached the village, Te Rauparaha muttered, “Kamate! Kamate! (I die! I die!)”
And then one of the enemies said that he had gone to another place, so he muttered, “Ka ora! Ka ora! (I live! I live!)”
But another enemy doubted the words of Te Wharerangi and he muttered, “Kamate! Kamate!” once again.
Eventually, the enemies were convinced that he was not there and departed.
Te Rauparaha exclaimed with joy, “Ka ora! Ka ora!”
And the rest of the song goes following...
Tenei te tangata puhuru huru (This is the hairy man)
Nana nei tiki mai (Who fetched the Sun)
Whakawhiti te ra (And caused it to shine again)
“The hairy man” means Te wharerangi. Te Rauparaha shows his appreciation for him and the feeling of joy to be alive here.
A upa… ne! ka upa… ne! (One upward step! Another upward step!)
A upane kaupane whiti te ra! (An upward step, another… the Sun shines!)
Hi !!!
Upane means steps on the side of the pit. This part shows the scene when Te Rauparaha is going up on the steps one by one, and came out of the dark pit. I can imagine how he was happy at not only escaping from the almost death, but also coming out of the dark and uncomfortable kumara pit into the light of the day.
It is said this is how Ka Mate was composed. I do not know if it is true, but even if it is just a made-up story, I think it’s great. It’s very exciting and lively, and I could feel how tense the situation was when he was hiding in the pit.
Maori people don’t have written language, and they have passed their traditions to the next generations by telling stories. If other stories are interesting like this one, the children must want to know as many as possible!
3. Haka in present & future
Lastly, I would like to talk about the current situation of Haka.
In February 2009, Ka Mate was declared New Zealand’s intellectual property by the government. It will avoid the traditional dance from exploititation. It has been used for commercial purposes. The Maori people must be relieved, and I believe Ka Mate will be loved by many people for ever. I hope so!
If you want to know more about the news, check this out!
In this class, I learned a little about New Zealand. There are still a lot of things I don't know yet, and now I am really interested in everything about this wonderful country. Due to my personal reason, I cannot attend the class in the next sememster. I wish you good luck to all of you!
Thank you, Simon and my great classmates!
Kia Ora!!
