The history of the Haka
The sight of an All Black side performing the Haka has become one of the most iconic and beloved sights in world rugby, endeared by everyone who follows the sport. While the traditional version of the Haka – Ka Mate – has become world renowned, with many international players recalling facing the Haka as one of the highlights of their careers, not many are familiar with its origins. We went out to discover its origins and its association with the All Blacks.
The Ka Mate was composed by the Maori chief Te Rauparaha as a celebration of life over death after he luckily escaped after being pursued by his enemies. He had hidden from them in a food-storage pit, and climbed back into the light to be met by a chief friendly to him - Te Whareangi (the "hairy man").
The haka has been closely associated with New Zealand rugby ever since a tour of New South Wales in 1884. The New Zealand native team that toured Britain in 1888/89 used Ake Ake Kia Kaha and the 1903 team in Australia used a mocking haka, Tupoto koe, Kangaru!. The 1905 All Blacks began the tradition of using Ka Mate and by 1914 this was firmly established as part of New Zealand rugby. The 1924 All Blacks used a specially composed haka Kia Whaka-ngawari, but later All Blacks reverted back to Ka Mate.
Few Springbok fans will forget the introduction of the All Blacks’ specially composed Haka – Kapa o Pango – first used before a test match against the Springboks at Carisbrook in August 2005. The awe inspiring Haka ends with a throat slitting gesture and many people were upset with the violent message it sent. The composer, Derek Lardelli, rebuffed these claims and stated that the throat splitting gesture represents "drawing vital energy into the heart and lungs." Kapa o Pango is to be performed only on special occasions and was not intended to replace Ka Mate.
Ka mate, ka mate! ka ora! ka ora! - ’Tis death! ‘tis death! (or: I may die) ’Tis life! ‘tis life! (or: I may live)
Ka mate! ka mate! ka ora! ka ora! - ’Tis death! ‘tis death! ’Tis life! ‘tis life!
Tēnei te tangata pūhuruhuru - This is the hairy man
Nāna nei i tiki mai whakawhiti te rā - Brought the sun and caused it to shine
Ā, upane! ka upane! - A step upward, another step upward!
Ā, upane, ka upane, whiti te ra! - A step upward, another... the Sun shines
The Ka Mate was composed by the Maori chief Te Rauparaha as a celebration of life over death after he luckily escaped after being pursued by his enemies. He had hidden from them in a food-storage pit, and climbed back into the light to be met by a chief friendly to him - Te Whareangi (the "hairy man").
The haka has been closely associated with New Zealand rugby ever since a tour of New South Wales in 1884. The New Zealand native team that toured Britain in 1888/89 used Ake Ake Kia Kaha and the 1903 team in Australia used a mocking haka, Tupoto koe, Kangaru!. The 1905 All Blacks began the tradition of using Ka Mate and by 1914 this was firmly established as part of New Zealand rugby. The 1924 All Blacks used a specially composed haka Kia Whaka-ngawari, but later All Blacks reverted back to Ka Mate.
Few Springbok fans will forget the introduction of the All Blacks’ specially composed Haka – Kapa o Pango – first used before a test match against the Springboks at Carisbrook in August 2005. The awe inspiring Haka ends with a throat slitting gesture and many people were upset with the violent message it sent. The composer, Derek Lardelli, rebuffed these claims and stated that the throat splitting gesture represents "drawing vital energy into the heart and lungs." Kapa o Pango is to be performed only on special occasions and was not intended to replace Ka Mate.
Ka mate, ka mate! ka ora! ka ora! - ’Tis death! ‘tis death! (or: I may die) ’Tis life! ‘tis life! (or: I may live)
Ka mate! ka mate! ka ora! ka ora! - ’Tis death! ‘tis death! ’Tis life! ‘tis life!
Tēnei te tangata pūhuruhuru - This is the hairy man
Nāna nei i tiki mai whakawhiti te rā - Brought the sun and caused it to shine
Ā, upane! ka upane! - A step upward, another step upward!
Ā, upane, ka upane, whiti te ra! - A step upward, another... the Sun shines
Ka Mate | Kapa o Pango
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