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Grade 2 Blog

A Cultural Expression - The Haka

We were reading the story 'Last Stop on Market Street',about a child who went on a bus ride with Grandmother. They saw different characters on the bus. When the children saw a man with tattoos in the story, Mia commented that he was like the demi god in Moana, he 'has drawings on his body'.


That led to me to share that in some indigenous cultures, tattoos are ancestral tribal messages specific to the wearer. These messages tell the story of the wearer's family and tribal affiliations, and their place in these social structures.


I invited Todd to class, asking him to share about the Māori, who are the indigenous people of the land of Aotearoa New Zealand, and how their culture is an integral part of local life.

Todd shared with us the history and traditions of the Māori. He also told us that they perform the haka.

The Haka is iconic throughout the world. If you are interested in rugby, then you probably know that the All Blacks (the NZ rugby team) perform a haka at the start of each of the rugby games.

The first hakas were created and performed by different Maori tribes as a war dance. It is an ancestral war cry.


Overtime, the haka evolved and it came to be used for more than just battles. It became a way for communities to come together and it was a symbol for community and strength.


Ka mate, ka mate! ka ora! ka ora! Ka mate! ka mate! ka ora! ka ora! Tēnei te tangata pūhuruhuru Nāna nei i tiki mai whakawhiti te rā Ā, upane! ka upane! Ā, upane, ka upane, whiti te ra!

I may live or I may die! This is the hairy man (one of their Gods) Who brought the sun and caused it to shine A step upward, another step upward! A step upward, another... the Sun shines!

After a slide presentation about the Māori, Todd proceeded to do a demonstration of the haka. The boys appreciated the energy and strength of the haka.



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