The All Blacks perform the Haka at the beginning of rugby matches following the national anthems for both teams. The New Zealand rugby team will position themselves so that they are facing the opposing squad. The opposition usually stands in a straight line facing the All Blacks linking together by embracing teammates around the shoulders.
The Haka is extremely intimidating. They are usually so loud when they sing it that you can hear their screams sitting in the audience although they are far away on the field.
The reason that the Haka is sung is due to the tradition of the Maori tribe, which is an indigenous Polynesian tribe based in New Zealand. They typically sang the Haka before going into a battle and this version was called the peruperu. However, not all versions of the Haka deal with war. The Haka is often performed for esteemed guests or visitors when they arrive in New Zealand. This is considered an extremely high honor. The Haka can also be performed by women and is not exclusive to men.
The first New Zealand Rugby team to perform the Haka was during an overseas tour to New South Wales in Australia in 1884. Apparently, a “Maori War Cry” was chanted prior to the match.
“Ka Mate” is considered to be the traditional form of the Haka. It starts with instructions shouted by the leader to the rest of the group. Here is the English translation of the chant.
Leader: Slap the hands against the thighs! Puff out the chest! Bend the knees! Let the hip follow! Stamp the feet as hard as you can! Leader: ’Tis death, ‘tis death (or: I may die) Team: ’Tis life, ‘tis life (or: I may live) Leader: ’Tis death, ‘tis death Team: ’Tis life, ‘tis life All: This the hairy man that stands here...who brought the sun and caused it to shine…A step upward, another step upward…A step upward, another step upward…The sun shines!
The All Blacks are and continue to be one of the absolute best rugby teams in the world and this has been consistent through the decades. Singing of the Haka is one of the most intimidating and incredible rituals in all of sport.
This post was originally written by Tyrone Schiff University of Michigan · Organizational Studies · 16 Aug 2007
