What is the haka exactly for?

Question

When the New Zealand rugby team does the haka before a game...I know its a holy dance and whatsoever but do they do it like for "intimidation"? 'cause the other team is just in front.. watching.. they could just walk away like saying "I dont care you're doing your haka thing", so why do they stay to watch? is it 'cause the haka is "good" for both teams?

Answer 1

G'day IQ Dosun,

Thank you for your question.

The haka is a traditional Maori dance with several variants including a war dance. The haka the All Blacks have performed is usually a Kamate although the Kapa a Pongo has been occasionally performed.

According to Wikipedia "The "Ka Mate" haka arose as a wily plan to defeat the aims of an enemy. Inspired by this, the All Blacks are believed to have first used the "Ka Mate" or "Te Rauparaha" haka in 1906. The origin of this haka dates to 1810 when chief Te Rauparaha of the Ngāti Toa iwi (clan or tribe) was being chased by enemies. In a cunning stratagem, he hid in a food-storage pit under the skirt of a woman. Because this was an unthinkable thing for a chief to do, Te Rauparaha thought he would be safe. He climbed out to find someone standing over him, who, instead of killing Te Rauparaha, turned out to be another chief friendly to Te Rauparaha. In relief Te Rauparaha performed a haka with the words (translated from Māori) —

It is death, it is death: it is life, it is life; this is the man who enabled me to live as I climb up step by step toward sunlight."

It serves the purpose of a tradition and gets the All Blacks in the mood for the game.

Regards

Answer 2

yes its for intimatidation, and the team s stay and watch because they try to show taht even tho there doin some macho danc eor w/e, there there to watch and they done care. Basically to show that there just as man.

Answer 3

I don't know why you needed to look it up in wikipedia (creamdelacream04) its taught in schools,

it is a traditional war dance originating from Maori legend,

the only thing that is not actually right is at the end, the jump is only meant for overseas matches as a challange in attack, whereas standing at the end means they are holding their ground and are ready for the onslaught of the opposing warriors, this has in recent years been forgotten and know they have the choice.

It was never meant for intimidation only to represent what it means to the culture of our country and rugby, that this game is not just for the europeans or pakeha but the maoris as well.

Answer 4

Man, you wanna see my Haka, I do just before I have s*x, It really gets my ahhh ,you know, ,ahhhh, my ahhhhhhh  thingermejig up and running........well I only have it once a year......so I have to do a good Haka first .

Answer 5

The haka traditionally is done as a challenge to the opponent. It is meant to say "face us as men, and fight for what you believe in." Although people say that the All Blacks do it for intimidation, and this is partly true...just look at the fierce faces!!--the significant thing behind doing it is to draw strength from the earth and ancestors and bond as a group. it gets the boys in the mood and connects them to their tangatawhenua. (family and ancestry and all the all blacks to ever play)

when there was the controversy in scotland over doing the haka ages ago and the scottish team having to watch it etc, the all blacks did the haka in their dressing room, so its not just intimidation, its a personal conditioning thing as well.

the newest adidas campaign "Of This Earth" reflects this as well.....every single player was given a capsule with the earth from the NZ grounds where any and all the All Black Players have played in the past. it links them to NZ nd the earth and shows support of the kiwi ppl for the ABs.

hope this helps :)

GO RICHIE AND THE ALL BLACKS!!!!!!!

Answer 6

The Haka is a joke!

Do these guys actually think we are going to wet our pants because some ugly guy sticks his tongue out at us?

We are all laughing!!!!!!!!

Answer 7

it is to set a challange to the other team

Answer 8

The thing is if they didn't stay to watch like Italy did(turning their backs and ignoting them) they wil get thrashed but if they do watch it they get thrased even more(portugal)

So one way or another it is better for NZ

Answer 9

Joe Blow: that's not a haka you are doing that's a tantrum you're throwing because your lady is laughing at your aaaahhhh aha aha ooh yeah baby.

I am Australian:  yes honey I think you've let everyone know your feelings on the subject, now go play with your toys.