It
is my opinion that the Haka of 2015 has transformed itself to be a personal
experience. No longer is it about defiance against an opponent. No more is the
Haka used to frighten the enemy. In this day and age performing the Haka is a
way for the individual to find his inner-warrior, to unleash the beast from
within. The Haka is a way for differences of race, upbringing, religion, and
social status to melt away and be replaced by the bonds of unity and a sense of
belong to a larger entity than oneself. As an American football player and a
team captain and leader, I have performed the Haka many times with my team. But
our team, and I would argue more of the teams who perform the
Haka than not, did it behind closed doors. For us, the Haka was about mental preparation as a player and as a team. It brought us together and allowed us all to enter a state of mind where we are ready to lay it all out on the field for the people standing next to us on our own battlefield. The Haka has survived the years and become something more than it once was. It has changed into exactly what it is needed to be by hundreds upon thousands of young athletes trying to make their way in life and find a sense of belonging.
Haka than not, did it behind closed doors. For us, the Haka was about mental preparation as a player and as a team. It brought us together and allowed us all to enter a state of mind where we are ready to lay it all out on the field for the people standing next to us on our own battlefield. The Haka has survived the years and become something more than it once was. It has changed into exactly what it is needed to be by hundreds upon thousands of young athletes trying to make their way in life and find a sense of belonging.
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