An Intro to the Haka

The Haka is a traditional dance of the Maori people of New Zealand. It has roots back to the beginning of Maori culture and is deeply embedded in their mythology. As such it is a very important aspect of the Maori identity, and to this day it is used in many facets of Maori life. Some argue that the Haka has been bastardized and hijacked by the modern sports world, particularly with high-impact sports such as rugby and American football, but despite its vault into fame on the modern field of “battle”, the Haka remains as a powerful expression of Maori identity and a cross-cultural display of masculinity and strength.