~ Waka ~

"... Seldom the wind blows ...
thoughts of refrain,
As long as I'm nimble ...
I'll locate your name,
It powers my shield
Whilst I'm on my way ..."
 

The Maori people made their way to
New Zealand or "Ao-tea-roa"
(Land of the Long White Cloud)
 in elaborately carved canoes or "waka"
such as the one pictured above.

Originally performed as a challenge
to foes during the Maori Wars,
the Haka is mainly now performed
as a challenge to rivals at the
beginning of Rugby Union and
Rugby League football matches.

An example of a Haka can be seen
in the tragic New Zealand movie
"Once Were Warriors".