The Haka is a traditional dance of the indigenous Maori of New Zealand that is awe-inspiring, and that effectively resembles a war in certain contexts. Its best known version is the one performed by the All Blacks, the New Zealand rugby team. With a group of people beating their chests, screaming and sticking their tongues out, this show is impressive to watch and works very well for intimidating opponents.
Steps
Method 1 of 6: Learn the Correct Pronunciation
Step 1. Say each syllable separately
The Maori language, spoken by the aboriginal people of New Zealand, has vowels with long and short sounds (such as a double "aa" and a normal "a", for example) and each sentence, such as "ka m - te", is pronounced separately. There is a very short pause between each syllable, with a few exceptions. The resulting sounds in a Haka will be choppy and impetuous.
Step 2. Assemble two vowels together
Combinations of vowels, also called diphthongs, such as "ao" or "ua", are pronounced by following the vowels together (as in "a-o" and "u-a"). There are no short pauses or breaths between these diphthongs, on the contrary, they constitute a single combined fluid sound.
Step 3. Pronounce the letter T correctly
The letter T is pronounced as in English when it is followed by the vowels A, E and O, while it is accompanied by a light "s" when it is followed by I and U. The Haka has both of these cases:
- For example, in “Tenei te tangata”, the T will sound like the English T.
- While for example in the phrase "Nana in I tiki mai", the T followed by I will be accompanied by a slight "s".
Step 4. Pronounce “wh” as “f”
The last line of the Haka begins with "whiti te ra". Pronounce "whi" as "fi".
Step 5. Finish the song correctly
The last syllable of the song is "Hi!", Pronounced by inhaling the first aca (as in English "he") with a short breath, instead of a prolonged "acute". Strongly blows the air out of the lungs, tightening the stomach muscles.
Step 6. Listen to a Maori pronunciation guide
Listening to the correct pronunciation can help you practice your language skills. On the internet there are a number of audio guides to perform the correct pronunciation. Type "Pronounce Maori" on a search engine and see the results.
Method 2 of 6: Prepare to Perform the Haka
Step 1. Choose a leader
This person will not be in formation with the others in the group. On the contrary, he will shout the verses and give directions to the group reminding them how to behave during the Haka. The right leader for the Haka will have to have a strong, fiery voice and speak vigorously with clarity. Usually the captain or the most charismatic person on the team is chosen.
Step 2. Stand with the group
Usually, teams perform the Haka together before the start of a match. There is no precise number of people needed to do the Haka, but the larger the group, the more intimidating and impressive the effect of the dance will be.
Step 3. Notice that you want to perform the Haka
If you want to Haka with your team before a match, be sure to notify the game officials and opponents.
If your opponents are doing the Haka, stand by and watch with your team showing respect
Step 4. Get in formation
The Haka will seem more powerful if the group is in any formation, as if about to descend on a real battlefield. Starting with a scattered group, arrange yourself in rows of people. Keep a lot of room for your arms, as you will be moving them a lot in the air around you.
Method 3 of 6: Learning the Verses
Step 1. Learn the warm-up chant
The words of the warm-up chant are usually shouted by the leader; they are designed to inspire the group and warn the opponent that the dance is starting, while also placing the group in the correct position of the body. The five lines of the song are (with the relative Italian translation below, which should not be pronounced during the dance):
- Ringa pakia! (Clap your thighs)
- Uma tiraha! (Inflate the chest)
- Turi whatia! (Bend your knees)
- Hope whai ake! (Let the hips follow them)
- Waewae takahia kia kino! (Stomp your feet as hard as you can)
Step 2. Learn the text of the Kapa O'Pango Haka
The chants of the Haka have several variations. The Kapa O’Pango Haka was composed in 2005 in a special way for the New Zealand national rugby team. It is often performed by the All Blacks in place of Ka Mate Haka, and refers specifically to them.
- Kapa or pango kia whakawhenua au i ahau! (Let me become one with the earth)
- Hi aue, hi! Ko Aotearoa and ngunguru in! (This is our earth shaking)
- Au, au, aue ha! (And it's my time! It's my time!)
- Ko Kapa or Pango and ngunguru in! (This defines us as the All Blacks)
- Au, au, aue ha! (It's my time! It's my time)
- I ahaha! Ka tu te ihiihi (Our dominance)
- Ka tu te wanawana (Our supremacy will triumph)
- Ki runga ki te rangi e tu iho nei, tu iho nei, hi! (And it will be placed high)
- Ponga ra! (Silver fern!)
- Kapa or Pango, aue hi! (All Blacks!)
- Ponga ra! (Silver fern!)
- Kapa or Pango, aue hi, ha! (All Blacks!)
Step 3. Learn Ka Mate Haka
The Ka Mate version, a war dance, is another Haka performed by the All Blacks. It was originally composed by Te Rauparaha, Maori chief, around 1820. The song is shouted in an aggressive and impetuous voice.
- Ka mate! Ka mate! (It's death! It's death!)
- Ka now! Ka now! (It's life! It's life!)
- Ka mate! Ka mate! (It's death! It's death!)
- Ka now! Ka now! (It's life! It's life!)
- Tenei Te Tangata Puhuru huru (This is the hairy man)
- Nana in the tiki mai (Who went to sunbathe)
- Whakawhiti te ra (And made it shine again)
- A upa ne ka up ane (One step up, another step up)
- Upane, Kaupane (One step up)
- Whiti te ra (The sun is shining!)
- Hi!
Method 4 of 6: Learn the Body Movements of the Kapa O'Pango Haka
Step 1. Snap into the starting position
Starting from a comfortable, relaxing position, move to the position from which the Haka will start with a sharp blow. Stand with your legs well apart, more than shoulder width apart. Squat down so that your thighs are at about 45 ° with respect to the ground and keep your arms in front of the body, one above the other, parallel to the ground.
Step 2. Lift the left knee upwards
Snap your left knee up and bring your left arm up in front of you at the same time, your right arm will drop to the side. Keep your fists tightly closed.
Step 3. Drop to one knee
Lift your left knee upwards and then fall on it with your body weight by crossing your arms in front of you. Bring the left arm down with the right hand on the left forearm and drop the left fist.
Step 4. Hit the arms 3 times
Bring your left arm up in front of you at a 90 ° angle. Cross your other arm to touch your left elbow and clap your left arm with your right hand 3 times.
Step 5. Bring the left fist back down
Hit the left forearm again with the right hand and bring the left hand back down.
Step 6. Stand and strike the arms
Move the body upwards with a fluid movement towards an upright position. Plant your feet wider than shoulder-width apart and continue hitting your arms with your left arm at a 90 degree angle.
Step 7. Strike the chest with the arms in the air 3 times
Lift both arms to the sides of the body, extending them. Following the rhythm, beat your chest with your arms and then bring them back to the sides of your body, always straightening them.
Step 8. Run the main sequence twice
The main sequence brings together several movements like these. Shout out the group singing sequence during this part.
- Place your hands on your hips with your elbows facing outwards.
- Suddenly raise your hands to the sky and then guide them quickly downwards. Hit the thighs once with both palms.
- Bring your left arm up in front of you at a 90 ° angle. Cross your other arm to touch your left elbow and clap your left arm with your right hand in rhythm. Reverse the arms and strike the right arm with the left hand.
- Bring both arms straight out in front of the body, palms down.
Step 9. Finish the Haka
Some Hakas end with the tongue sticking out as much as possible, while others simply end with the hands on the hips. Shout "Hi!" as fiercely as you can.
Sometimes the Haka ends with the movement of the throat cut
Step 10. Watch the videos of the Haka
Search the internet for Haka's performances and watch some of these videos. You will get a good idea of the different versions of dance, how it is performed in sporting competitions, cultural events and group building.
Method 5 of 6: Perform Other Movements
Step 1. Make your hands tremble
When the leader calls for orders, the group must keep their arms out and away from the sides of the body. If you are the leader, shake your hands and fingers as you shout commands to the group. If, on the other hand, you are part of the group, you can make your hands and fingers tremble when they are in a stationary position at the beginning of the Haka.
If you are part of the group, keep your fists clenched in most movements
Step 2. Show the pukana
The pukana is the hallucinated and furious aspect that the participants of the dance have on their faces for the duration of the Haka. For men, it consists of a facial expression aimed at intimidating and frightening the enemy. For women, however, it is a facial expression intended to express sexuality.
To show the pukana, open your eyes very far and hold your head up. Stare in the eye and freeze your opponent by raising your eyebrows
Step 3. Stick out your tongue
The gesture of sticking out the tongue, called whereto, is another intimidating element towards the opponent. Stick your tongue out as far as possible and open your mouth wide.
Step 4. Contract your muscles
Keep your body strong and taut throughout the dance. Muscles are contracted throughout the body.
Step 5. Run your thumb over your throat
The gesture of slitting the throat is sometimes included in the Haka, by running the thumb rapidly along the throat. It is a Maori gesture to bring vital energy to the body. However, it is often misunderstood and many consider it too violent. For this reason, he is not included by several groups that perform the Haka.
Method 6 of 6: Perform the Haka with Respect
Step 1. Learn the history of the Haka
Haka are expressions of traditional Maori culture to indicate an impending war, a time of peace or changes in life. They have also been performed by the New Zealand national rugby teams since the last years of the nineteenth century, which is why their part in rugby matches has a long and relevant history.
Step 2. Perform the Haka in the appropriate context
The Haka has a great value and is considered almost sacred, as an integral part of the Maori culture. It has been performed by numerous groups of different types around the world, which have made it part of mass culture. However, performing a Haka for commercial purposes, advertising for example, may not be very appropriate, unless a Maori is doing it.
There is a bill in New Zealand, still under scrutiny, concerning the effective possibility of the Maori to register the Ka Mate Haka trademark, restricting its commercial use
Step 3. Perform the Haka respectfully
Do not mock the Haka by exaggerating the movements excessively. Try to be sensitive to dance and its significance to Maori culture. If you are not a Maori, consider whether performing Haka is actually the best form of expression for your team or group.
Advice
- There is a large number of variations of the Haka which can be adapted to different circumstances. Search the internet for the different versions.
- Hakas aren't just for men. There are also Haka traditionally performed by women, including the “Kai Oraora”, a dance of deep hatred for the enemy.
