Christchurch Benefit

Well, my alcoholism has finally paid off (just kidding). On Tuesday nights here in Al Ain, the Hilton Hotel has musicians' night. I drop by after band practice on some Tuesdays and sing a few songs. It just happened that a guy there that night was organizing a benefit for victims of the Christchurch earthquake in New Zealand. He heard me sing and asked if our band would play at the benefit. We were going to be playing and important masquerade ball the following weekend anyway so this would be the perfect time to practice our new Aussie songs that we were learning.

At one point a bunch of Kiwis got up in front of the crowd and performed a version of The Haka. The only one brave enough to take his shirt off was an eight year-old boy.

According to a New Zealand tourism site:

The Haka

The origins of the haka are deeply rooted in the mists of time. It is a history rich in folklore and legend that reflects Maori heritage. New Zealand has grown up immersed in haka since first encounters between Maori and early European explorers, missionaries and settlers.
While recent tradition suggests the haka was the domain of men exclusively, legends and history reflects a different story. Indeed, the story of the most famous haka, Ka mate!, proves to be about the power of female sexuality.

History of the Haka

The first use of the haka in the natural world was attributed to the chief Tinirau and some of his womenfolk.
Tinirau desired revenge for the killing of a pet whale, so he sent a hunting party of women to find the man responsible, an old tohunga or priest called Kae. The women didn't know what Kae looked like, but they knew he had uneven teeth that overlapped.
When the women arrived at Kae's village they performed the haka to force a smile from the men in order to uncover Kae's identity.
Kae was captured and taken back to Tinirau's village where he was killed.

Meaning of the Haka

To most people, the haka is a war dance. This is understandable as many have seen the haka performed as a pre-battle challenge to their opposition.
But the word "haka" simply means a dance, or a song accompanied by dance. While they are the correct terms to associate with the haka, they do not do justice to the life force, the actions, words, rhythm, themes, meaning, style or history that are the haka.

How the Haka is used Today

New Zealanders have grown accustomed to the use of the Haka by sporting teams. They thrill to the spectacle of the All Blacks forming ranks prior to kick off.
The modern All Blacks perform the Haka with passion and pride. They have reclaimed the dignity and mystique attached to this traditional art form and in the process, increased its recognition as an icon of New Zealand.
The Haka has come to symbolise the power of the All Blacks and their status in the world of rugby. The team leaves an impression of invincibility and ruthlessness.
Today, the New Zealand Army also has its own unique haka, opened and ended by female soldiers, acknowledging their special place in the armed forces.
Because there are tens of thousands of New Zealanders living overseas, it is highly likely they will engage in the performing the haka in the foreign locations.
New Zealand trade delegations and other official functions overseas are increasingly requesting haka groups to accompany them.

Traditional song

The Haka

Here is another version of the Haka: Kiwis vs. Tongans.