haka

[ hah-kah ]

noun

1. a ceremonial Maori war dance that involves chanting.
2. a similar performance by a sports team, especially before a Rugby match in New Zealand.

haka

/ ˈhɑːkə /

noun

1. a Māori war chant accompanied by gestures
2. a similar performance by a rugby team

Word History and Origins

Origin of haka¹

First recorded in 1830–40; from Maori; akin to Tongan haka “hand gestures performed in a song,” Hawaiian ha‘a, Samoan sa‘a “dance,” from assumed Proto-Polynesian saka

Word History and Origins

Origin of haka¹

Māori

Example Sentences

Such is the strength of feeling that New Zealand's parliament was brought to a temporary halt last week by MPs performing a haka, or traditional dance, in opposition to the bill.

From BBC

During a vote on the bill’s first reading on Thursday, the first step in passing a bill through Parliament, 22-year-old MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke led a haka in the chambers.

From Salon

The haka in Parliament is one part of a wider outcry against the likely doomed bill.

From Salon

New Zealand's parliament was brought to a temporary halt by MPs performing a haka, amid anger over a controversial bill seeking to reinterpret the country's founding treaty with Māori people.

From BBC

"We were practicing the street parties and the haka just to be sure that she was properly welcome to the northern territories," he added.

From BBC