New Zealand’s youngest MP, Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, on Thursday tore up a duplicate of the contentious Treaty Rules Invoice and performed a traditional Maori haka throughout a Home session. This daring transfer comes nearly a 12 months after she went viral for performing a haka throughout her maiden speech in parliament. The 22-year-old Te Pati Maori MP interrupted the session, ripping aside the invoice earlier than breaking into the highly effective dance. She was quickly joined by others within the public gallery, prompting Speaker Gerry Brownlee to briefly droop the Home.
The Maori Haka
The Maori haka is a conventional efficiency that holds deep cultural significance for New Zealanders. It’s recognized for its highly effective power, fierce facial expressions (pukana), and bodily actions like stamping, hand gestures, and chanting. The haka varies by area, with many telling tales of serious occasions in a tribe’s historical past.
Origins and significance
The haka’s origins lie in Maori mythology, created by Tane-more, the son of the solar god and the summer time maid. It symbolises vitality and power, representing the spirit of the Maori folks. Historically, the haka was carried out for warfare, to have a good time achievements, or to welcome friends. In the present day, it’s carried out at necessary events like sporting occasions, weddings, and funerals.
Sorts of Haka
There are numerous types of haka, every with its distinctive objective:
- Peruperu: A warfare haka carried out with weapons to point out energy.
- Ngarahu: A semi-war dance carried out to check warriors’ readiness.
- Haka Tui Waewae: A non-combative haka expressing feelings like pleasure or anger.
- Ka Mate: Created by Ngati Toa Chief Te Rauparaha, Ka Mate tells the story of his escape from seize and his subsequent rise as a fantastic Maori chief.
The haka gained worldwide fame by way of New Zealand’s All Blacks rugby workforce, who carry out Ka Mate earlier than every recreation. The efficiency is supposed to claim dominance, energise the workforce, and honour Maori tradition. This ritual has captivated audiences globally.
To expertise haka firsthand, you possibly can attend rugby matches or go to locations like Rotorua the place you possibly can watch reside performances or take part in conventional Maori experiences.