Maori/Polynesian language, and haka vs maori dance performance explained from my previous blog

I was about to reply to some of the messages in my previous blog, then realized I needed to write a whole new blog instead.

Many Polynesian languages similarities. Honestly its a variation of all our languages put together. So it comes to no surprise for me.

An example NZ Maori would say Aroha with its basic meaning, love. But it's extended meaning is Breathe Desire, which is the breath of light, shared from one person to your loved one an intimate transfer of sharing breaths.

So the Hawaiian people say Aloha which for them means Hello, I believe. Our vowels are definitely the same in pronunciation.

And imma take a wild guess that Wahini means woman because we say Wahine.

The All Blacks (rugby players), do what is called a Haka, and in no way is it a dance. In the old days Haka was performed as a pre-emptive to war between two tribes. Its why the Haka is feared in a certain country, because in the WWII our people marked their faces and performed a Haka before the coming battle.

Now getting back to the tribes performing the haka, it was designed to see who was the most fierce or the violence they were going to inflict on their enemies, and if one tribe found the other overwhelming I believe the weaker tribe would make a more peaceful resolution. Our race to put it simply were quite a violent race.

However if they were even in ferocity during the Haka, the battle was still going foward, especially after being insulted from the opposing tribe. Because that's what haka was designed to do. To insult and determine the strongest before a battle.
The poking of the tongue is to let them know what they would look like after been struck.
The eyes being enlarged represents the fear of the opposition before they die as they see the last strike of their life.
Every act is to instigate a war, or subdue the opponent. The Poi as you will see in performances were originally weapons that were made of flax and rocks, a weapon for women. And believe me when I say they were quite deadly with them.

But nowadays its more for perfomance, a friendly rivalry between tribes, they have Junior and Secondary competitions, as well as adult performances where they do an entire brackett. Then they have District competitions.

So in future keep in mind a Haka is not a dance, only if they sing, its then a dance. But when they start shouting at the top of their lungs. its a haka. We also have a national haka that the entire country knows or knows of called Ka mate, Ka mate.



One of my favourite performances about 15 years ago


I chose this ropu(group) because they had a great intro song, it also shows you their bracket, or order of the general performances for ropu. Important to note they are using a real weapon in their performances known as a taiaha, highly dangerous in a group performance, will be used only by professionally trained maori. For most though its quite normal and natural with hours of practice.


This was an awesome challenge/ counter challenge. They are different schools even though they had the same colour gear. The boys on the right also perform the national haka. Unrehearsed too.




Thanks again for reading my blog