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| Wedding haka video: Emotional Maori tribute brings bride to tears | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A video of a wedding haka that moved a New Zealand bride to tears has been watched more than 19 million times since it was posted on Facebook. | A video of a wedding haka that moved a New Zealand bride to tears has been watched more than 19 million times since it was posted on Facebook. |
| Aaliya and Benjamin Armstrong married in Auckland last week and were blown away by a performance of the traditional Maori dance at their wedding reception by the groomsmen and guests. | Aaliya and Benjamin Armstrong married in Auckland last week and were blown away by a performance of the traditional Maori dance at their wedding reception by the groomsmen and guests. |
| So moved by the passionate display were the couple that they joined in themselves, with Mrs Armstrong left in tears after the performance. | So moved by the passionate display were the couple that they joined in themselves, with Mrs Armstrong left in tears after the performance. |
| The video ends with the couple hugging the dancers. | The video ends with the couple hugging the dancers. |
| Westone Productions Limited | Westone Productions Limited |
| Mrs Armstrong told the BBC that the haka was a sign of respect from her husband’s family. | Mrs Armstrong told the BBC that the haka was a sign of respect from her husband’s family. |
| “I think the moment that got me was when one my friends, my bridesmaid, had jumped in. That's really one of the main reasons I jumped in, to show my love back to her.” | |
| She added: “I felt the need to show love and respect back. I was really blown away. | |
| “Ben is a Maori, he is probably more Maori than I am. | “Ben is a Maori, he is probably more Maori than I am. |
| “Because he has fair skin, some people have been saying on social media that 'he'd better not hurt the bride', but they're actually his family.” | “Because he has fair skin, some people have been saying on social media that 'he'd better not hurt the bride', but they're actually his family.” |
| Mr Armstrong said performing the Haka was his friends and family's way to “show respect, support and love”. | |
| The newlyweds were taken by surprise again when a film of the dance posted on Facebook was watched millions of time. | The newlyweds were taken by surprise again when a film of the dance posted on Facebook was watched millions of time. |
| “Yesterday afternoon I left my phone alone for about five minutes and I had so many notifications,” Mrs Armstrong said. | “Yesterday afternoon I left my phone alone for about five minutes and I had so many notifications,” Mrs Armstrong said. |
| The haka is the traditional ancestral dance of the Maori people of New Zealand, originally performed by warriors before a battle. | The haka is the traditional ancestral dance of the Maori people of New Zealand, originally performed by warriors before a battle. |
| It is performed by a group and characterised by its vigorous movements, stamping of feet, and accompanying shouted chants. | It is performed by a group and characterised by its vigorous movements, stamping of feet, and accompanying shouted chants. |
| Lewis Whaitiri, chairman of the London-based Maori Club, told the BBC that he“loves in this day and age that we are still able to hold on to our customs and traditions”. | |
| He said that some people had a “misconception” that the Haka is simply a “war dance” and said that it is not unusual for it to be performed - as a means of celebration - even at funerals. | |
| “It's about celebrating life and overcoming adversities that you face. In that sense, you can adapt the Haka and perform it at weddings or graduations.” | “It's about celebrating life and overcoming adversities that you face. In that sense, you can adapt the Haka and perform it at weddings or graduations.” |
| Asked why he thought the Haka was so loved, Mr Whaitiri said: “I think it's because of the passion that lives within the Haka and the way it's delivered. | Asked why he thought the Haka was so loved, Mr Whaitiri said: “I think it's because of the passion that lives within the Haka and the way it's delivered. |
| “When you're doing the Haka the whole purpose of it is to get some sort of feeling in the person you are doing the Haka to, as well as yourself. | “When you're doing the Haka the whole purpose of it is to get some sort of feeling in the person you are doing the Haka to, as well as yourself. |
| “It's about moving people, that's what it is.” | “It's about moving people, that's what it is.” |