I am well known to be sport challenged. No, really - I know you are surprised, but sometimes I need to be reminded that Rugby Union is the one with the funny shaped ball, just like Rugby League (as if
that means anything to me). I wish I knew more, but frankly I just don't
care. When it comes to sport, I have extreme apathy.
One thing I do love, though, is the
Haka. The Haka is a traditional Maori war dance that the New Zealand All Blacks play before every rugby union game. In fact, any kiwi rugby team will perform the Haka before any game. If you are a male growing up in New Zealand, you
will play rugby & you
will know the Haka. The player with the most Maori blood is the leader, but every team member will know the Haka, regardless of his colour. Which is probably why this flash mob went so well in Auckland recently.
(Are you at work right now? Turn the sound down..)
NB: If you are a girl in NZ you will play Netball & you won't be allowed to Haka. It's a boy thing, get over it. No one complains.
Despite being born in Australia, Mr BC spent his formative years in NZ so he definitely knows how to Haka, not that he does often, but I'm sure he could in a pinch. If he ever does, I promise to post the video on this blog. Oh, hello darling! I didn't know you read my blog!
On one of my first trips to NZ we went to the Auckland Museum (which is truly excellent) & attended a Haka demonstration at the Maori Cultural Centre. After the conch shell called us up the stairs to the small auditorium we rushed to get front row seats, because I am a total nerd like that, & eagerly awaited the show.
About a dozen large traditionally garbed & tattooed Maori men gathered on the 2 foot high stage, about 2 feet from the front row, & commenced the scariest fucking thing of all time - the full on Haka, almost in my face. To say I was shit scared was an understatement, it was
that intimidating. I gripped the seat of my chair, white knuckled. Tears of emotion (fear? Something more visceral? I'm only a little white girl for fucks sake!) ran from the far edges of my eyes. I had to keep reminding myself that I was in a museum, surely they couldn't hurt me, right? I mean, the Maori haven't been cannibals for over 100 years, right? The thing that really kept me in my seat was the fact that being in the front row, I couldn't escape inconspicuously.
They did a few other tribal dances, one that meant 'Welcome to our village, these are our rules'. The Haka explicitly means 'We are about to slaughter you'. It gives the Maori courage, & scares the crap out of the opponents. Probably why it is such a great thing to play before the footy game starts...
When the show at the cultural centre had finished, my Mother in law went up to one of the performers & said 'Hey Whitey! What are you doing up there? I'm browner than you!' I almost
died. But this lovely man laughed & gave her a beautiful smile. 'Yeah! My grandfather was full blood but I take after my Mum, eh? My cousins all make fun of me too!'
Just goes to show. Such is the power of the Haka.
xx