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During sports matches, we often see athletes performing various movements to trick their opponents. It refers to those who perform a dance form before the start of the match to intimidate their opponents and to show that they are strong.

A New Zealand dance form called the Hakka. It is commonly seen in rugby. Before the start of the match, the players line up and start performing under the leadership of the team leader. They play haka by moving their eyes and tongue and changing their facial expressions to bring out maximum energy. The hands will hit the thighs hard as if reciting some mantra in a loud voice. When the leader shouts loudly, the followers will respond with a loud voice.

The Haka is a special dance form practiced by the Maori tribal community. The Maori people believe that if the haka is not performed before the battle, the victory of the war will be reversed. The aim is also to let the opponents know that they are ready for anything.

Typically, the famous men’s rugby fighters, the All Blacks, and the women’s rugby team, the Black Ferns, challenge each other to play the haka. There are many types of haka. The New Zealand team is represented by Ka Mate, who is famous among them. It is believed that the All Blacks first performed the ka mate haka in 1905. Reports also indicate that the Black Ferns played the haka for the first time in 1999.

Team New Zealand challenges their opponents with the haka that they are strong and have come to fight unitedly. The haka is played not only to challenge, but also to welcome guests during celebrations and to offer mourning at the time of death. A video of Argentina’s football legend Diego Maradona playing a haka in tribute to him at a match after his death also went viral on social media.

Let’s see what they say through the Maori language.

The haka will begin with the team leader shouting “Get ready, line up, hurry up.” Followers will reply that they are obeying the leader. The leader then tells you to put your hands on your thighs and kick your legs as hard as you can. They will reply loudly that they are doing the best they can. When the leader says you’re going to die, no, the rest will shout loudly that they’re going to live. This is how they start the match by motivating their own team.

Content Highlights: New Zealand rugby team’s ‘Haka’ that makes the opponent’s knees tremble