2015 Rugby World Cup: Decoding the haka dance

The All Blacks performing the Haka

The All Blacks took to the field tonight against Argentina at Wembley Stadium as they kick-started their campaign in Pool C at the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

New Zealand are looking to achieve many firsts at this World up. They’re looking to become the first defending champions to retain the cup by claiming back-to-back victories. They’re looking to become the first nation to win three world cups. They’re looking to win a world cup on foreign soil for the first time (both their previous triumphs came at home).

Before even a kick or tackle is placed though, a familiar beat emanating from the waving of hands and beating of chests took centre stage as the All Blacks brought out the haka, a customary ritual before every game of theirs.

It is a spine chilling moment to watch the haka every single time it is performed as it is something you never get bored of, especially as the passion and vigour with which New Zealand’s players perform it certainly doesn’t wane as they lay down the challenge to their opponents.

What is the haka

The haka is a traditional Maori war cry, the indigenous population of the island nation. The haka is very distinguishable as it is accompanied by loud screaming and frenetic hand movements and stamping of the feet.

It originated as a dance performed by tribal warriors before a physical battle, to project their strength and ability as a way of intimidating and psyching out the opposition. It is, however, also performed to mark a lot of other community occasions.

The protruding of the tongues and eyes that’s done during the haka is called the pukana. The All Blacks team from 1888-1889, which comprised a lot of natives started this tradition back then in a game against Surrey and it has since been continued and carried on for all these years. And pretty sure, it will be continued in future too, for it is an iconic ritual.

Originally there was just the one haka that was constantly performed. However, in 2005, the AllBlacks developed another one, and now there are two variants – the Ka Mate and Kapo O Pango.

The Ka Mate is an ancient and traditional one, developed by the Ngati Toa Maori chief, Te Rauparaha, somewhere around 1820. It was done as a celebration to honour the fact that he managed to survive with his life from members of the enemy tribes – the Ngati Maniapoto and Waikato.

The second, Kapa O Pango, was developed by the players themselves in 2005. Kapa O Pango talks about claiming one’s land, and becoming one with the land. It was developed as the players felt they needed something special to stir them up and get them going against the old enemy – the

Springboks. The All Blacks, around that period, had a wretched time against South Africa, and just could not get the better of them. That was the reason behind the formulation of Kapa O Pango.

The haka is such a deep-rooted tradition in New Zealand that it was formally recognised as an academic subject by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority in 2002.

With that in mind, the closer the All Blacks get to making the final again, putting them in with a chance to accomplish all those firsts mentioned above, expect New Zealand and the world to break into a haka to support their team all the way.

Here’s a video of the players performing the haka: