MAORI

​The Maori people of New Zealand have a proud heritage which they have shared with visitors from all around the world. For hundreds of years, they have been hosting and welcoming visitors into their homes and backyards, demonstrating their traditional dances...

The Maori people of New Zealand have a proud heritage which they have shared with visitors from all around the world. For hundreds of years, they have been hosting and welcoming visitors into their homes and backyards, demonstrating their traditional dances.

The origins of the haka are deeply rooted in the mists of time. It is a history rich in folklore and legend that reflects Maori heritage. New Zealand has grown up immersed in haka since first encounters between Maori and early European explorers, missionaries and settlers.

To most people, the haka is a war dance. This is understandable as many have seen the haka performed as a pre-battle challenge to their opposition.

But the word "haka" simply means a dance, or a song accompanied by dance. While they are the correct terms to associate with the haka, they do not do justice to the life force, the actions, words, rhythm, themes, meaning, style or history that are the haka.

While there are many variations between the types of war dance the common feature is that they are all performed with weapons.

In pre-European and early contact times, the haka was used as a part of the formal process when two parties came together.*
                            
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 * This caption is from New Zealand -- a Lonely Plan travel guide.