The All Blacks Haka Translated and Explained
Many people have been wondering about the New Zealand Haka performed by the All Blacks, it’s origin, translation and meaning. This article should answer many the of the unknowns that surround this fabulous pre-match spectacle that makes the All Blacks so unique.
The Haka is a traditional dance native to New Zealand’s Maori people performed by the All Blacks before every rugby match. It is traditionally a war dance used by the native Maori before charging into battle.
The All Blacks perform two kind of Haka, the original “Ka Mate” and most recently a modern version called the “Kapa O Pango”
The Haka is a source of energy for the All Blacks, it is a very aggressive dance, it pumps up the players mentally and builds up their confidence before a game, as well as intimidating the opposing side at the same time.
The original Haka, the “Ka Mate” has been a pre-match ritual performed by the All Blacks since 1904, it is a celebration of “Life over Death”
Here are the words and translation of the “Ka Mate”:
Ka mate! Ka mate! Ka ora! Ka ora! It is Death! It is Death! It is Life! It is Life!
Ka mate! Ka mate! Ka ora! Ka ora! It is Death! It is Death! It is Life! It is Life!
Tenei te tangata puhuru huru This is the hairy man
Nana nei i tiki mai Who fetched the Sun
Whakawhiti te ra And caused it to shine again for me
A upa … ne! ka upa … ne! Up the ladder! Up the ladder!
A upane kaupane whiti te ra! Up to the top… the Sun shines!!
Hii…
Click here to watch a video of the All Blacks performing the “Ka Mate”
The “Kapa o Pango” is the more modernized version of the Haka, and is more related to the All Blacks, however many cultural Maori people have argued this does not reflect their culture as it is modern. The All Blacks perform either of the 2 Haka’s before a game, with the original “Ka Mate” still being the most popular.
Words & translation of the “Kapa o Pango”:
Kapa o Pango kia whakawhenua au i ahau! All Blacks, let me become one with the land
Hi aue, hi! do one Ko Aotearoa e ngunguru nei! This is our land that rumbles
Au, au, aue ha! It’s my time! It’s my moment!
Ko Kapa o Pango e ngunguru nei! This defines us as the All Blacks
Au, au, aue ha! It’s my time! It’s my moment!
I ahaha! Ka tu te ihiihi Our dominance
Ka tu te wanawana Our supremacy will triumph
Ki runga ki te rangi e tu iho nei, tu iho nei, hi! And be placed on high
Ponga ra! Silver fern!
Kapa o Pango, aue hi! All Blacks!
Ponga ra! Silver fern!
Kapa o Pango, aue hi, hi! All Blacks!
Click here to watch a video of the All Blacks performing the “Kapa O Pango”
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TheTinMan said,
September 22, 2007 @ 1:46 am
hey do you guys knw da leaders bit to Ka Mate at the start? cuz everywhere you look its different.. i know it starts with ringa ringa pakiha but ofter dat theyre all different.. does any1 know?