haka

Haka is a traditional Māori dance form from Aotearoa (New Zealand) performed by groups in a shared ritual. It combines synchronized body movements, chanting, and facial expressions, often with stomping feet and chest or thigh slaps. The word haka comes from the Māori language and denotes a dance or performance. Haka can serve many social functions, including welcoming guests, congratulating achievements, commemorating the dead, or challenging an opponent. While most hakas are performed by Māori groups, they are also staged by non-Māori communities for educational or ceremonial purposes, sometimes with guidance from Māori experts.

There are several forms of haka. Haka taparahi is a ceremonial or choreographed dance performed without weapons and by both men and women. Haka kaioraora or peruperu are war hakas performed by warriors, sometimes with weapons and more aggressive movements. Other hakas focus on remembrance or celebration and may emphasize vocal intensity and rhythm.

The best-known haka is Ka Mate, composed in the early 19th century by Te Rauparaha of Ngāti Toa and widely associated with New Zealand's national identity. In modern times, the All Blacks rugby team have performed Ka Mate for many decades, and in 2005 commissioned a contemporary haka, Kapa o Pango, by Derek Lardelli to represent the team.

Culturally, the haka is a living tradition in Māori society, used in ceremonies, celebrations, and public events. It is taught and preserved within iwi and communities, and its performance outside Māori contexts is often discussed in terms of cultural respect and appropriation, with calls for collaboration and consent.