Friday, 26 April 2013

War Chant - The Haka!

Music 


Today in music class we looked at a war dance called the Haka. The New Zealand rugby team perform this to intimidate their opposition.

About the Haka:

History of the All Black haka

No other international sporting team possesses a pre-match ritual as powerful as the famed All Black haka.
From the more traditional Ka mate, Ka mate - first performed before an international rugby fixture by the New Zealand Native Team in 1888 - to the recently composedKapa o Pango, the haka plays an integral role in physically and mentally preparing All Black teams for battle.
Māori haka
The haka is an ancient posture dance of the New Zealand Māori that was traditionally used to prepare a war party for battle. It was performed either on the battle field prior to engagement with the enemy, or as the war party was leaving their own village en route to a battle.
The ferocious nature of the haka created a united frenzy among the war party preparing them mentally and physically for the reality of war and impending conflict.

We looked at the lyrics of the Haka and discussed them. Then we looked at another version as Gaeilge!

An Haka Gaelach  (by: Laura Kennedy, Graduate B, 2007)

Buail do chos, buail do chos,
Gluine, gluine.

Buail do chos, buail do chos,
Gluine, gluine.

Bualadh bos, bualadh bos,
Uilinne, uilinne.

Bualadh bos, bualadh bos,
Uilinne, uilinne

Caisigí, caisigí,
Níos airde, airde.

Caisigí, caisigí,
Ísligí, ísligí.

Trasna, trasna,
Clúdaigh, clúdaigh,
Trasna, trasna,
Aaaagghhhh…

Buail do chos, buail do chos,
Stamp one leg then the other.
Uilinne, uilinne
Arms bent up bang each elbow with palm of hand.

Buail do chos, buail do chos,
Stamp one leg then the other.
Uilinne, uilinne
Arms bent up bang each elbow with palm of hand.

Bualadh bos, bualadh bos
Clap hands X2
Glúine. Glúine
Slap knees /thighs x 2

Bualadh bos, bualadh bos
Clap hands X2
Glúine. Glúine
Slap knees /thighs x 2

Caisigí, caisigí,
Turn 360 degrees. with a stamp of each leg
Níos airde, airde.

Raise arms high (use strong warrior type action)

Caisigí, caisigí,
Turn 360 again
Ísligí, ísligí.
Crouch down (defensive warrior position)

Trasna, trasna,
Scissors crossing of arms, palms down, as in New Zealand haka
Clúdaigh, clúdaigh,
Cover face (spread fingers so eyes look out)
Trasna, trasna,
Repeat scissors criss-cross of arms
Aaaagghhhh…
Hands on each side of face like shouting out. … !! (as All Blacks shout in Haka)




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