If anyone ever doubts that modern sports is (anthropologically speaking) ritualized war, just show them a good pre-game Haka. Singing the anthems just doesn't do it, especially the way most of the singers ham it up.
I have a friend from NZ and we played Saints rugby together. He would teach the rest of the team and myself included to do it. I never felt so powerful after I did that. I mean, when you're doing it you feel such a suge of power. Perhaps, you feel the reverb from all those that predated your attempt. The only time I felt as powerful was when I watched King Leonitis and his 299.
I just think its awesome that all sports teams representing New Zealand do it. Doesnt matter if its soccer, hockey, basketball or Rugby, they all do it, I think thats amazing.
I think it works, I'd bet it pumps up the players and its intimidating as hell.
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After living in New Zealand previously, the Haka was a VERY cool thing to see. LOTS of people would get into it, and it's taken very seriously by the hardcore of fans. They take their rugby SERIOUSLY down there...
I think the Haka is great for the Maori players but when the white guys do it seems kind of lame. Stick to your own cultural heritage. I think the Maori players should do the Haka while the white NZ players perform the Hiphoppopotamus vs. Rhymenocerous.
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I think the Haka is great for the Maori players but when the white guys do it seems kind of lame. Stick to your own cultural heritage. I think the Maori players should do the Haka while the white NZ players perform the Hiphoppopotamus vs. Rhymenocerous.
But isn't it part of New Zealand's heritage as well? Thus, that would make it non-culturally exclusive inside their borders.
IMO, if it's shared with whitey and accepted by the cultural conceive(ers), then who are we to judge a cultural exchange like that?
Perhaps you're jealous of said whiteys who were thought highly enough to have it taught to them.
But isn't it part of New Zealand's heritage as well? Thus, that would make it non-culturally exclusive inside their borders.
IMO, if it's shared with whitey and accepted by the cultural conceive(ers), then who are we to judge a cultural exchange like that?
Perhaps you're jealous of said whiteys who were thought highly enough to have it taught to them.
But then again you could be Simon Cowel (sic).
I guess if the Maoris are fine with it then sure, I'm in no position to judge. I bet there are probably more than a few Maori hardliners who object to non-Maoris doing the haka as they are a very proud people. I have been to a Marae in New Zealand and they still have very strict rules about who can enter and the protocol.
Imagine if the Siksika nation had a dance that its members performed before going into battle/sport... would you as a Calgarian feel comfortable doing it before a game? Then again in the interests of team unity it would sensible to have either everyone do it or no one do it at all.
As for being jealous, no I am not jealous because I have had NZ "whiteys" teach me the haka already. On Waitangi Day in London they all get pissed and do it in unison in front of Parliament.
I guess if the Maoris are fine with it then sure, I'm in no position to judge. I bet there are probably more than a few Maori hardliners who object to non-Maoris doing the haka as they are a very proud people. I have been to a Marae in New Zealand and they still have very strict rules about who can enter and the protocol.
Imagine if the Siksika nation had a dance that its members performed before going into battle/sport... would you as a Calgarian feel comfortable doing it before a game? Then again in the interests of team unity it would sensible to have either everyone do it or no one do it at all.
As for being jealous, no I am not jealous because I have had NZ "whiteys" teach me the haka already. On Waitangi Day in London they all get pissed and do it in unison in front of Parliament.
Which is precisely why some Maori's are opposed to non-maori's perfroming the ritual.
I just think its awesome that all sports teams representing New Zealand do it. Doesnt matter if its soccer, hockey, basketball or Rugby, they all do it, I think thats amazing.
I think it works, I'd bet it pumps up the players and its intimidating as hell.
I can't speak for other sports, but I know that the guys on the Australia hockey team find it pretty hilarious when the NZ guys do it, not intimidating at all. I'd say that has to do with the fact that NZ isn't usually much of a threat on the ice, even to Australia. The intimidation factor in rugby comes more from being a damn good team than it does anything else.
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I can't speak for other sports, but I know that the guys on the Australia hockey team find it pretty hilarious when the NZ guys do it, not intimidating at all. I'd say that has to do with the fact that NZ isn't usually much of a threat on the ice, even to Australia. The intimidation factor in rugby comes more from being a damn good team than it does anything else.
I know in rugby the Wallabies usually just line-up, arms crossed and smugly stare at the All Blacks when they do the haka and counter by staring them down while belting out "Advance Australia Fair" during the anthems. I think they're well over the intimidation factor.
I know in rugby the Wallabies usually just line-up, arms crossed and smugly stare at the All Blacks when they do the haka and counter by staring them down while belting out "Advance Australia Fair" during the anthems. I think they're well over the intimidation factor.
Agreed, I don't think there's much intimidation caused by the Haka among the elite teams. It may intimidate some of the lesser teams, but that's just as much a product of the ability of the All Blacks as it is the Haka.
I think it does a good job of creating amazing atmosphere in the stadiums, although that as well probably isn't needed when New Zealand plays Australia.
I can't speak for other sports, but I know that the guys on the Australia hockey team find it pretty hilarious when the NZ guys do it, not intimidating at all. I'd say that has to do with the fact that NZ isn't usually much of a threat on the ice, even to Australia. The intimidation factor in rugby comes more from being a damn good team than it does anything else.
Yeah, dance routines don't really threaten me either. I've actually competed against teams that do things like this and I have a good laugh.
