According to Maori legend, the first haka was performed by a group of Maori women, who tricked a Maori chief (Kae) into smiling at their dance (haka), identifying him as the person their own chief, Tinirau, wanted to kill in revenge for Kae killing the pet whale of Tinirau.

The whale was lent to Kae so he could return the whale to his homeland across the sea. But instead, Kae ate the whale. Tinirau sent the women to capture Kae so he could be killed. All they knew about Tinirau was that he had crooked teeth.

All was well when the women reached Kae's marae.  They were greeted and welcomed, as is customary, and given a place to sleep.  The women weren't sure if the chief was the person they had been sent to capture, so they performed a dance about adultery, to make Kae laugh.  He laughed, showed his crooked teeth, and that was the end of him.

So what is Haka?
Haka is an ancient Maori dance. Many people see it as a war dance, as the stamping of the feet, the use of patu and taiaha and tewhatewha, the protruding tongue and bulging eyes, all look like symbols of aggression.  And certainly, haka was used to prepare warriors for battle, to get the body moving and produce lots of adrenalin. 

But the haka is also a dance performed to welcome special guests or acknowledge special occasions such as tangi (funeral), graduations, weddings, etc.  Essentially it is a dance celebrating the beauty of life.  It is a beautiful display using the whole body - eyes, tongue, feet, hands, legs, voice - to convey emotion.

What's with the trembling hands?
The basis of the trembling hands is a Maori legend, which varies a little depending on who is telling it.  One version is that it comes from the Maori Sun God Tama-nui-te-ra and one of his wives, Hine-raumati.  Hine-raumati represented the summer season.  On a hot day, she made the air dance and quiver, giving rise to this being portrayed in the quivering of hands (wiriwiri).

All Blacks Haka
The All Blacks Rugby Haka is arguably New Zealand's most notable haka, performed at the start of all international rugby games involving the All Blacks. Called the Ka Mate! haka, it is based upon the story of Te Rauparaha and his outwitting of his enemies, by hiding in a kumara pit.  The All Blacks haka is fierce and intense, designed to show their strength and ruthlessness.  The womens All Blacks team also has their own very special and intense haka.

According to Maori legend, the first haka was performed by a group of Maori women, who tricked a Maori chief (Kae) into smiling at their dance (haka), identifying him as the person their own chief, Tinirau, wanted to kill in revenge for Kae killing the pet whale of Tinirau.

The whale was lent to Kae so he could return the whale to his homeland across the sea. But instead, Kae ate the whale. Tinirau sent the women to capture Kae so he could be killed. All they knew about Tinirau was that he had crooked teeth.

All was well when the women reached Kae's marae.  They were greeted and welcomed, as is customary, and given a place to sleep.  The women weren't sure if the chief was the person they had been sent to capture, so they performed a dance about adultery, to make Kae laugh.  He laughed, showed his crooked teeth, and that was the end of him.

So what is Haka?
Haka is an ancient Maori dance. Many people see it as a war dance, as the stamping of the feet, the use of patu and taiaha and tewhatewha, the protruding tongue and bulging eyes, all look like symbols of aggression.  And certainly, haka was used to prepare warriors for battle, to get the body moving and produce lots of adrenalin. 

But the haka is also a dance performed to welcome special guests or acknowledge special occasions such as tangi (funeral), graduations, weddings, etc.  Essentially it is a dance celebrating the beauty of life.  It is a beautiful display using the whole body - eyes, tongue, feet, hands, legs, voice - to convey emotion.

What's with the trembling hands?
The basis of the trembling hands is a Maori legend, which varies a little depending on who is telling it.  One version is that it comes from the Maori Sun God Tama-nui-te-ra and one of his wives, Hine-raumati.  Hine-raumati represented the summer season.  On a hot day, she made the air dance and quiver, giving rise to this being portrayed in the quivering of hands (wiriwiri).

All Blacks Haka
The All Blacks Rugby Haka is arguably New Zealand's most notable haka, performed at the start of all international rugby games involving the All Blacks. Called the Ka Mate! haka, it is based upon the story of Te Rauparaha and his outwitting of his enemies, by hiding in a kumara pit.  The All Blacks haka is fierce and intense, designed to show their strength and ruthlessness.  The womens All Blacks team also has their own very special and intense haka.