I think there's an equivalent to the Haka in most Pacific countries, but honestly, I'm not as versed on the islands and their traditions. I'm almost certain either Fiji or Samoa did theirs at the RWC too, as well as Tonga I mean - possibly both of them did.
And as for the questions about why it's directed at the other team - part of the deeper meanings of it are in credit and respect to the other side - like an acknowledgement of a worthy opponent if you like. It obviously sounds super aggressive and I don't speak Te Reo (Māori language) well enough to pick the words well, or more importantly the emphasis on phrases etc, but there's a lot more to it than intimidation. Frankly you hear Māori talk in Te Reo about anything when they're passionate about it and it all sounds pretty feisty - it's quite a staccato language, when it's in full flow it's really pointy and percussive.
But yeah, removal of it, putting it down or not acknowledging it is for NZ, and many other Pacific islands a huge cultural snub - like I said before, very much like choosing to deny or offer any respect for a large part of who they are as a people. Maybe it's because of the work that I do, but I understand a lot more clearly after being here how most European countries during that time of colonisation, and to be frank also the US with native Americans (and there are other examples) conquered the world through blindly assuming their way of seeing things was more important, their guns were bigger and so countries like NZ and Australia spent a lot of time being quite 'Western' and are only now seeing the damage it's done stripping away original, native cultures and beliefs. I don't view the world the same way as Māori at all, but I do my best never to disrespect anyone who does. Or Pacifica cultures. Haka and their equivalents are a big part of that. So are waiata (songs/hymns) and not singing them in a call and response manner while doing a Māori or Pacific welcome is a bit like strapping a token 'white racist bastard' sign on your head. A Kiwi kid going through school often identifies with the Haka equally whether they're Māori, white, Chinese NZ etc. these days - not because of them being Māori but because it's a strong way all Kiwis identify with themselves and where they come from.
And yeah I reckon there'd be more people attached to the Haka as a way of identifying their sense of home than the national anthem - would be pretty close here I think...
To answer one of the questions directly...
dinny_g wrote: ↑Mon Oct 21, 2019 10:55 am
Also, why is it only Rugby teams (and, erm Men's Field Hockey
) that perform a Haka before their games.
Genuine question to Dave ?
Edit - also, why is Kapa o Pango only brought out against certain teams ??
It's not just NZ as mentioned above and it's not just rugby either. Much more widespread, but just doesn't get televised as heavily anywhere else as it does with an ABs game.
Kapa o Pango was developed specifically for the ABs I believe either last RWC or 2011. They did it over a long time working directly with Iwi (Māori tribes/family/areas/lineage) to ensure its meaning is anchored genuinely in Māori belief structures and identity. My understanding of it is that it's reserved for special occasions as a sign of greater respect, greater challenge, more cards on the table. The infamous 'throat slitting' symbolism present in it is actually a symbol of breathing in fresh breaths of life but I think there's a bit of artistic license in use at times. Interestingly the same Haka can be performed differently by people from different areas - a little like dialects if you like. Māori is an oral language historically so the performance of a Haka can be different in the same way different dialects are. Many Iwi also have their own, or multiple Hakas. I've heard maybe like 5 or 6 but I understand there are many more. The two the ABs use seem to stem from either being one which is common across NZ (Ka Mate) or from it being developed for them (Kapa o Pango). Genuinely wouldn't be surprised in the future if there are others, yet the sentiment and symbolism remain largely the same.
I feel quite stupid explaining this because I'm still just a white English tit who's trying hard to broaden his horizons and learn about other cultures - that doesn't make me versed enough to talk about it as though I'm right, there's so many holes in my knowledge. But I guess, on here it's me or maybe Rod when he shows up? Better than nothing and if it sheds any light on it at all, can't be a bad thing.
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