New Zealand, ancestral Māori tradition
HAKA
The Māori war cry
The Haka is a group of ritual Māori dances from Aotearoa (New Zealand), practiced for centuries before European arrival. The word actually refers to a whole family of collective performances — Haka taparahi (ritual, without weapons), Haka peruperu (war dances, with taiaha), Haka pōhiri (welcome), Haka poi (with balls on a cord) — each with its own words, codified gestures, and social function.
The most famous Haka in the world is the "Ka mate," composed in the 19th century by Ngāti Toa chief Te Rauparaha, made globally famous by New Zealand's All Blacks rugby team, who have performed it before every match since 1905. Far from being a mere sporting spectacle, it remains for Māori a spiritual act that calls upon ancestors, expresses identity, and asserts presence.
How it's danced
Technique & figures
The Haka is generally performed in a group, with words chanted in unison, feet stamping on the ground (waewae takahia), slaps on the body (patupatu), facial contortions (pukana), and tongue protrusions (whētero). Every gesture is codified and carries meaning. It is never performed without the permission of the iwi (tribe) to whom the Haka belongs.
Styles and fundamentals
Haka differ according to their function. The Haka peruperu is the true war Haka, performed with a taiaha (weapon) in hand before combat. The Haka taparahi is ritual, without weapons, performed at ceremonies. The Haka pōhiri welcomes visitors onto a marae. The Haka poi, exclusively female, is performed with balls on a cord.
Main figures
- 01
Waewae takahia
Powerful stamping of the feet on the ground, in rhythm with the words. Makes the earth vibrate and calls upon ancestors.
- 02
Pukana
An expressive grimace with wide, bulging eyes, symbolizing strength, anger, or spiritual presence.
- 03
Whētero
Protruding the tongue, a warrior's gesture aimed at the opponent, performed exclusively by men.
- 04
Patupatu
Codified slaps on the chest, thighs, or arms, producing a distinctive rhythmic sound.
- 05
Ringaringa
Codified arm positions, each illustrating a word or concept of the chant.
Reading the music
The words are chanted in unison, without instruments. The rhythm arises from foot stamping, body slaps, and collective breath. Each Haka has a specific text in te reo Māori, often commemorating a historical event or an ancestor.
Did you know?
Explore the rhythms
Same family
Systèmes de Combat & Sacrés
Cross connections
Styles from other families that share a common language with Haka.