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

The Haka, a traditional Maori dance, is best known as the pregame ritual of the New Zealand All Blacks rugby team.

From The Daily Beast

Their skulls had decorated the village of some Chin chief at Haka ever since.

From Project Gutenberg

The Hakas, lying south of the Tashon country and round about Haka.

From Project Gutenberg

A great Maori haka was held, to which not only the natives themselves, but the whole of the English inhabitants, were invited.

From Project Gutenberg

On the 9th the sappers, with a covering escort, commenced work on the road to Haka, which was sixty-four miles distant.

From Project Gutenberg

Every one thought that our men would be in Haka in ten or twelve days, and all calculations were based on this estimate.

From Project Gutenberg