Kahurangi Maori Dance group performing the haka

The Haka is not a war dance exclusively and it isn’t performed only by men.  Some are performed by women, others by mixed groups, and other by children.

The original dance was performed by warriors before a battle so they can proclaim their strength and prowess in order to intimidate the opposition.

New Zealand war haka dance is part of formal or official welcome ceremonies for distinguished visitors or foreign dignitaries to imply the importance of the occasion. It can be also performed to acknowledge great achievements or occasions or for amusement.

The haka employs facial contortions, (showing the whites of the eyes and the poking out of the tongue) and a variety of vigorous body actions such as slapping the hands against the body and stamping of the feet and also they chant words with a variety of cries and grunts. The warriors use their body as instruments to express courage, annoyance, joy or other feelings relevant to purpose of the occasion. 

Lyrics

Kapa o pango kia whakawhenua au i ahau!
Hi aue, hi!

Ko Aotearoa e ngunguru nei!
Au, au, aue ha!

Ko Kapa o Pango e ngunguru nei!
Au, au, aue ha!

I ahaha!
Ka tu te ihiihi
Ka tu te wanawana
Ki runga ki te rangi e tu iho nei, tu iho nei, hi!

Ponga ra!
Kapa o Pango, aue hi!
Ponga ra!
Kapa o Pango, aue hi, ha!

Translation:

Let me become one with the land
this is our land that rumbles
and it's my time! It's my moment!
This defines us as the All Blacks
it’s my time! It's my moment!
Our dominance
our supremacy will triumph
and will be placed on high
Silver fern!
All Blacks!
Silver fern!
All Blacks!

Answer to the haka dance in rugby matches: New Zealand vs. Tonga