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Christchurch shootings: How the haka unifies New Zealand in mourning | Christchurch shootings: How the haka unifies New Zealand in mourning |
(about 8 hours later) | |
As New Zealand mourns the victims of the Christchurch mosque shootings, the traditional Maori haka dance is reverberating around the country. | As New Zealand mourns the victims of the Christchurch mosque shootings, the traditional Maori haka dance is reverberating around the country. |
It's a ceremonial dance many might associate with the famous New Zealand All Blacks rugby team. | It's a ceremonial dance many might associate with the famous New Zealand All Blacks rugby team. |
But what does the haka actually signify, and why have so many been performed across New Zealand this week? | But what does the haka actually signify, and why have so many been performed across New Zealand this week? |
What is the haka? | What is the haka? |
It's a ceremonial dance that comes from New Zealand's Maori people, and it's performed in a group with synchronised movements, lots of stomping, shouting and eye-rolling. | It's a ceremonial dance that comes from New Zealand's Maori people, and it's performed in a group with synchronised movements, lots of stomping, shouting and eye-rolling. |
Matthew Tukaki, executive director of the Maori Council of New Zealand, told the BBC that while it's often thought of as a war dance, "the central theme is actually one of respect". | Matthew Tukaki, executive director of the Maori Council of New Zealand, told the BBC that while it's often thought of as a war dance, "the central theme is actually one of respect". |
In fact, there isn't just one haka - there are hundreds. Each region and each tribe has its own versions, depending on the occasion and who taught dance to the community. | |
So is it actually a war dance? | So is it actually a war dance? |
"Traditionally it was a war dance to basically threaten or warn the enemy," explains Mr Tukaki. "But its meaning has changed." | |
You'll have seen the All Blacks tap into that war dance tradition, but you might also remember a haka being performed whenever the British royals pay a visit to New Zealand. | You'll have seen the All Blacks tap into that war dance tradition, but you might also remember a haka being performed whenever the British royals pay a visit to New Zealand. |
Today, it's performed at all kinds of ceremonial occasions - from receiving dignitaries to birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, or the funerals of chiefs and people of high standing. The words used can change with the purpose. | |
For Friday's memorial, there are nationwide haka planned to show support for the Muslim community. | For Friday's memorial, there are nationwide haka planned to show support for the Muslim community. |
Why is it performed for the Christchurch victims? | Why is it performed for the Christchurch victims? |
There have been countless spontaneous instances where New Zealanders have performed the haka in recent days. | There have been countless spontaneous instances where New Zealanders have performed the haka in recent days. |
"I am not all surprised to see this," says Donna Hall, a fellow member of the Maori council. "It's a spiritual response to what has happened and it really is intended to tap the spiritual depth of people." | "I am not all surprised to see this," says Donna Hall, a fellow member of the Maori council. "It's a spiritual response to what has happened and it really is intended to tap the spiritual depth of people." |
She points out that it's very important for the country to have this "unifying response" right now, at a time when everyone is still shocked by what happened last Friday. | She points out that it's very important for the country to have this "unifying response" right now, at a time when everyone is still shocked by what happened last Friday. |
Does every Kiwi know how to do it? | Does every Kiwi know how to do it? |
Pretty much. Traditionally it's something limited to Maori communities, but it has long spread far beyond that. | Pretty much. Traditionally it's something limited to Maori communities, but it has long spread far beyond that. |
"Let's be honest, the All Blacks can take most of the credit for this," says Ms Hall. | "Let's be honest, the All Blacks can take most of the credit for this," says Ms Hall. |
It's now something many children learn in school from early on, regardless of whether they are Maori or not. | It's now something many children learn in school from early on, regardless of whether they are Maori or not. |
What about cultural appropriation? | What about cultural appropriation? |
Is it ok for non-Maori New Zealanders to perform the haka? "Yes," Mr Tukaki says emphatically. "This is a special time. We are at a special moment in New Zealand history, but also one that will be important for our future." | Is it ok for non-Maori New Zealanders to perform the haka? "Yes," Mr Tukaki says emphatically. "This is a special time. We are at a special moment in New Zealand history, but also one that will be important for our future." |
Cultural appropriation would only be an issue when cultural elements are adopted outside the communities, he says, without any Maori involvement. This is not the case in the current situation. | Cultural appropriation would only be an issue when cultural elements are adopted outside the communities, he says, without any Maori involvement. This is not the case in the current situation. |
Mr Tukaki believes the many haka videos going viral are a powerful statement in themselves, countering the online hatred that allegedly fed the shooting suspect's thinking. | Mr Tukaki believes the many haka videos going viral are a powerful statement in themselves, countering the online hatred that allegedly fed the shooting suspect's thinking. |
"Let's overwhelm them with love," he says. "I've seen haka from New Zealand, but also from Chicago, New York, London and Sydney. I have seen boys from a Muslim school in Auckland doing it - and it makes me very proud." | "Let's overwhelm them with love," he says. "I've seen haka from New Zealand, but also from Chicago, New York, London and Sydney. I have seen boys from a Muslim school in Auckland doing it - and it makes me very proud." |
What is planned for Friday? | What is planned for Friday? |
The New Zealand Maori Council has called for a moment of silence and a nationwide haka on 22 March, when commemorations will mark one week since the shooting. | The New Zealand Maori Council has called for a moment of silence and a nationwide haka on 22 March, when commemorations will mark one week since the shooting. |
At 12:30 local time (2300 GMT Thursday), representatives of the council will lead a haka at the Al-Noor mosque, the site where most of the victims died in last week's attack. | At 12:30 local time (2300 GMT Thursday), representatives of the council will lead a haka at the Al-Noor mosque, the site where most of the victims died in last week's attack. |
The dance will be specially composed for the event, and its words will reflect the country's opposition to violence and hatred. | The dance will be specially composed for the event, and its words will reflect the country's opposition to violence and hatred. |
Across New Zealand, people are being encouraged to perform a haka outside their schools or places of work - or wherever they happen to be. | Across New Zealand, people are being encouraged to perform a haka outside their schools or places of work - or wherever they happen to be. |
"While there will be many different haka on Friday, there will be one common theme," explains Ms Hall. "We will be taking a stand against hatred, showing love and compassion for our Muslim community." | "While there will be many different haka on Friday, there will be one common theme," explains Ms Hall. "We will be taking a stand against hatred, showing love and compassion for our Muslim community." |