http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ar-gYIGjvc&fmt=18
(higher quality version)
I’m not too educated on the Maori Haka, so here’s a comment by a YouTuber from this video:
The way I was told, the haka was designed to psych out the raiding war party. It was done to AVOID bloodshed, which is something that’s gone unnoticed by a lot of history writers. The haka was also very practical in that it amped up the defending warriors so that IF the other tribe didn’t back down and run the other way, at least the warriors were all ready to defend their turf. Very practical people the old time Maori.
Great stuff. Definitely something I would love to learn more about. In the meantime, here’s the super-woofy Grant Roa from the wonderful film, Whale Rider.
[EDIT: Image resizing issue fixed.]
I saw this on TV a while back –
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_u97PdM4eE
About Texas High School football players doing the Haka. Reminded me.