I just saw this remarkable farewell by the New Zealand Infantry Regiment to a dead colleague. This is the Haka, which is by many in New Zealand (not only the Māori). I found this a touching farewell to a dead fellow soldier
The war Haka was originally used as a type of war cry to intimidate their opponents but is now used in a variety of ceremonial and sporting events. These differ from group to group. This is specifically the Haka used by the Infantry Regiment.
Here is the haka used by soccer team from New Zealand:
You can see the differences if you watch closely. Sometimes both teams can have do the haka in a match:
Good natured ballbusting between two longtime participants. Progress?
Gene H:
that was beautiful. Thank you.
I like to say “if you dont mind, it wont matter.”
Bron,
It’s considerably less dramatic and more Zen than that although you’ve nailed part of the spririt of the thing.
Bettykath,
Thank you so much for that. I am sure Governor Walker would have them all arrested if the gallery did that in Wisconsin.
I have never been to New Zealand, but know many people who have, and going there is on my bucket list.
New Zealander Hayley Westenra recorded Pokarekare Ana when she was only 16 or 17. It put her remarkable voice on the map.
another version of a most beautiful song with english translation
On the subject of New Zealand and Maori traditions, here’s the video of the NZ Parliament passage of the Marriage Equality bill and the serenade by the spectators. Beautiful music.
A nice big breath of fresh air. If I played whatever that game is, I’d be intimidated.
I’ve been to New Zealand and loved it. If I were a decade or two younger I would emigrate there.
I’m gasping for breath…. the testosterone is overwhelming.
This is their arrival and ramp ceremony at Christchurch airfield last August. Corporal Luke Tamatea, age 31, Lance Corporal Jacinda Baker, age 26, and Private Richard Harris, age 21. All killed when an IED hit their Humvee. LCPL Baker was a medic, and the first New Zealand soldier ever killed in combat.
It is time to bring them home. It is past time. Bring them home. All of them.
nick:
this is how Gene H gets fired up to blog:
It’s Just Us in the wind …
New Zealand restricts free speech
Steve Groh, I LOVE mussels and the BEST ones in the world come from you’re beautiful country. Lewis Black is one of my favorite comedians. He did some shows in NZ and loved the country. When I saw Black in Madison a few years back he did a bit on NZ. He starts off w/ genuine praise of the country. Then his rant! “I flew to NZ on a 747. We took off from NYC. They first gave us some drinks and a meal. They showed a movie and then turned out the lights for rest. We woke up had coffee/drinks, had another meal, and Then another movie. The pilot spoke to us, another meal and movie..AND THEN WE WERE HALF WAY THERE!”
I miss NZ and my family members there. It is the most beautiful and civilized country on the planet. Kia Ora!
The American Indian culture had rituals and traditions not only to mourn the death of a warrior, but to rehabilitate the retuning warrior’s psychological damage done by war. Our medical/military culture has made remarkable techno advances in replacing limbs, burns, etc. We are clueless in repairing the psyche of our returning soldiers. Elaine’s post yesterday was poignant in this regard. To me, this represents an indigenous ritual of venting anger. The depression our returning warriors suffer is anger internalized. It would be wise for our military to speak w/ different U.S. tribes and learn about their rituals. Sadly, no one has ever accused our military leaders of wisdom.
Wow! That sure would intimidate me. If I was in that car I would have been frightened! Impressive.
Why do we allow our governments to send us to war? No more. No more should we accept their wars. It is time to free the world from tyranny and corruption
Please, nobody ask what he died for.
Final tribute and honor to a fallen comrade. Only soldiers, no matter what culture or country understand this final respect. May he rest in peace with all his fellow comrades in arms.
I just wiki’d up the Haka….Very interesting…many uses for many different events…..Thanks I did not know…. Another reason not to play Rugby…But its not just used for Rugby..