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Origins - The haka is known as an ancient Māori war dance traditionally used on the battlefield, as well as when different groups met in peace.

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Tribal bonds - The dance is a fierce display of a tribe's pride and strength, which can be both frightening and unifying.

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The dance - Actions involved in the dance largely include violent foot-stamping, sticking out your tongue, and body-slapping to a certain rhythm, along with a chant.

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The word - "Haka" simply means a dance, or a song accompanied by dance, but that is a bit reductive for the life force, the actions, meanings, and history that comprise the haka.

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Many variations - As it was originally a pre-battle challenge, there are many variations between the types of dance, and many are performed with weapons.

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Types of haka - Some involve jumping, others involve kneeling, some are intended to affect audiences, and others are intended to motivate the dancers themselves. The movements in some can be very free, and the performers are often expected to express themselves without restraint.

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The weapon can apparently vary - Jason Momoa used his Aquaman trident at the film’s premiere in 2018 during his haka dance, honoring the cast and crew.

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Familiar to Kiwis - The New Zealand that exists today has grown up immersed in haka, ever since early European explorers, missionaries, and settlers first encountered Māori.

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A meeting ritual - In pre-European times, the haka was used as a formality when two parties came together. First there was a challenge from the tribe from that area, followed by a response from the visiting party.

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Sealed with a hongi - Next, each party delivered speeches, and then they would perform the hongi, the traditional greeting by pressing their noses and foreheads together.

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The chant - The words of a haka are often poetic descriptions of ancestors and events in the tribe's history.

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When it’s used - Today, haka are still used during Māori ceremonies and celebrations to honor guests, either arriving or departing, and to demonstrate the importance of the occasion.

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Range of events - This includes family events, like birthdays and weddings, as well as honoring the fallen, as the New Zealand firefighters did to commemorate first responders of 9/11.

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On sports fields - New Zealand’s All Blacks rugby team is famous for their haka, having started using it in the 19th century.

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Reclaiming the haka dignity - The modern All Blacks reclaimed and reinforced the dignity and mystique surrounding the traditional art form, increasing its recognition as a symbol of New Zealand.

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It’s a pretty intimidating sight - The haka became a symbol of the team's power and status in the world of rugby, leaving an impression of ruthless invincibility.

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Also used in the military - The New Zealand Army also has its own unique haka, acknowledging their special place in the armed forces.

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Women are included - Though the haka is often associated with the traditional battle rituals of male warriors, legends and history tell a different story.

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Haka origins require female energy - Indeed, the story of how haka began has roots in female power.

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According to legend - Sun god Tama-nui-te-ra had two wives, Hine-raumati, who was the essence of summer, and Hine-takurua, the essence of winter. Tama-nui-te-ra and Hine-raumati had a son called Tane-rore. The quivering appearance of air on hot summer days is said to be a sign of Tane-rore dancing for his mother.

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Nature-inspired movement - The rapid movement which the legend associates with the son of summer and the sun god became the foundation of all haka, with the performers’ quivering hands in particular representing Tane-rore’s dance.

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The most famous haka is "Ka Mate" - It was reportedly composed around 1820 by Māori chief Te Rauparaha. It was introduced to the world in the early 20th century, when it became a part of the pregame ritual of New Zealand’s national rugby union team, the All Blacks.

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History of the haka in the natural world - The first use of haka in the natural world is attributed to chief Tinirau and some of his female tribe members, who he sent as a hunting party to seek revenge for the murder of his pet whale. The women only knew that the man responsible had uneven teeth that overlapped, but they had a creative solution...

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History of the haka in the natural world - When they arrived at the man's village they performed the haka to force a smile from the men in order to uncover the culprit's identity. He was then captured and taken back to Tinirau's village where he was killed.

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Years later, Prince Harry gave it a go - During his visit to Linton Military Camp in 2015, Prince Harry performed the haka with soldiers from the 1st New Zealand Brigade.

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Popular in schools - Kapa haka (the dance as performing arts) groups are very common in New Zealand schools. Te Matatini, the main Māori performing arts competition, takes place every two years.

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It’s often misunderstood - The haka is an important part of the Māori culture, and while it is intimidating on the field, it is, more than anything, supposed to be a celebration of life and our world.

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It's being globalized - New Zealand trade delegations and other overseas functions are increasingly requesting haka groups to accompany them, further cementing the dance as a symbol of New Zealand identity.

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Modern New Zealanders carry the torch -

The haka is increasingly recognized as a symbol that must be treated with respect, and New Zealanders are ensuring that this ancient dance is here to stay. 

See also: Super underwhelming photos of New Zealand that will bore you to tears

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