Te Mātārae I O Rehu perform Haka (Challenge) at the Rugby World Cup 2011 Opening Ceremony

The Challenge - A haka (challenge) by Te Mātārae I O Rehu - National Kapahaka Champions 2011 for Te Matatini O Te Ra (see ''Te Matatini O Te Ra' at: www.maoritelevision.com). Lead by male leader Wetini Mitai Ngatai and female leader Miriama Hare.

This powerful haka was intended to awaken and call on the powers and strength of Ruaumoko (the God of Earthquakes, Volcanic eruptions) causing havoc in his mother, Papatuanuku's (or Mother Earth) womb to the point of breaking ground. Hence, the visual effect of seismic activity on a volcano.

During the haka, Wahine (women) have the dual role of not only instigating and inciting their Tane (men) to anger but to reinforce protection of their families, tribe and land; and this they do by supporting them in their aggressive stance and fierce haka. In this respect, this is the reason why the Haka has significant meaning and purpose in New Zealand.


[NOTE RE: COMMENTS: If you have nothing positive to say then don't say it. Any negative comments pertaining to any matters outside of the RWC or this video will be removed. Please keep it clean for younger audiences. Thank you.]

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• haka
• te
• matarae
• orehu
• rwc
• opening
• ceremony
• 2011
• rugby
• world
• cup
• challenge
• patu
• mere
• taiaha
• wetini
• mitai
• ngatai
• miriama
• hare
• ruaumoko

[iiroxxkzzyyourboddyy]

Haha, I know that person who's cloak thing came off, LoL .

[missownz]

@iiroxxkzzyyourboddyy lol

[maoriboy92]

Oh gutrd, at about 2:10, one of the performer's piu (feather loin cover) dropped from his waist...Anyone notice that?...just me...

[missownz]

@maoriboy92 No not just you. Just didn't think it was that big of a deal to mention?! Things like this do happen.

[BobTheGamerUK]

Epic stuff. Frighting thought... to watch the England opening ceromony after this.. we'll probably have Robbie Williams sing the anthem or something.. no culture at all us lot.

Respect to the all blacks.

[missownz]

@BobTheGamerUK Robbie Wills is da man

[DinaTK96]

That was soo good, yeaahh All Blacks

[jacoblautner4real]

Shot hana!

[Maurioraz06]

Woo! Just like at Matatini Y'all Blew my Breathe away!! Shot Matarae! Definitly doing th Late Taini Morihana PROUD!

[MoeauAraschan]

wooooah !! meeean MAORI meeeean !! ka pai Maori ma !! : )