Deja - absolutely. The teams from NZ, Tonga, and the Fiji Islands all do some form of challenge dance just prior to the matches. To see some great ones, go to Youtube and just search on Haka. For the absolutely best one, however, search on 'gingerbread haka'. Hilarious advert for a baking contest in NZ.
Goodness - I've never seen anyone call the haka funny! I guess it does look odd if you're not from NZ (I am) and not into rugby (I'm not, but - sigh - as the only woman in an otherwise male household, I see a lot of rugby).
The All Blacks perform the haka as a challenge to the opposing team. The haka is commonly associated with fighting, but doesn't necessarily have to be so associated. It's always done at test matches, and I guess is an attempt to intimidate the opposing team as much as anything else.
It is considered an insult for the opposing team to NOT face the haka, which happens from time to time. NZ frequently wins when this happens :-)
Linda Grant is a novelist and journalist. She won the Orange Prize for Fiction in 2000 and the Lettre Ulysses Prize for Literary Reportage in 2006. She writes for the Guardian, Telegraph and Vogue. Her latest novel, The Clothes on Their Backs was shortlisted for the 2008 Man Booker Prize. For further information including upcoming literary festivals bookstore readings etc see her website at www.lindagrant.co.uk
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7 comments:
And the New Zealand All Blacks Haka strikes again!!!
Too funny. Forgive my ignorance, but this is ahead of a rugby match, yes?
Deja - absolutely. The teams from NZ, Tonga, and the Fiji Islands all do some form of challenge dance just prior to the matches. To see some great ones, go to Youtube and just search on Haka. For the absolutely best one, however, search on 'gingerbread haka'. Hilarious advert for a baking contest in NZ.
Now that's what I call a throw down. The other team looked like mere girly men - and terrified.
No crash helmets, no shoulder pads, no tights. Take note, American footballers :)
Dead right there's no men in tights. This is a manly game. No room for poseurs.
Goodness - I've never seen anyone call the haka funny! I guess it does look odd if you're not from NZ (I am) and not into rugby (I'm not, but - sigh - as the only woman in an otherwise male household, I see a lot of rugby).
The All Blacks perform the haka as a challenge to the opposing team. The haka is commonly associated with fighting, but doesn't necessarily have to be so associated. It's always done at test matches, and I guess is an attempt to intimidate the opposing team as much as anything else.
It is considered an insult for the opposing team to NOT face the haka, which happens from time to time. NZ frequently wins when this happens :-)
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