The screaming haka
As the Women’s Rugby World Cup approaches its climax, the men in my family settled to watch the semi-final between New Zealand and France at Twickenham. They are agreed that women’s rugby is faster-moving and played more as it used to be in the men’s game. It was a good match and the final, later on this Saturday afternoon, between the champions, England, and Canada, promises to be entertaining, too.
The major attraction for me was seeing and hearing the haka. Haka are ceremonial Māori dances performed in a variety of situations, from welcoming honoured visitors, to funerals, to a pre-match challenge or symbolic throwing down of the gauntlet. When men perform the haka before a rugby match, their voices resonate around the stadium, a powerful chant reverberating in the chests of the crowd. It is thrilling.
Women’s voices are shriller, more piercing, so that the overall effect is of shrieking rather than chanting. However, the Kiwis gave it their all.
Packs of people shouting and yelling occur in less friendly circumstances, demonstrating in the streets against perceived injustices. I have it on good authority that a mob of women screaming obscenities feels far more threatening than a crowd of men doing the same. The fairer sex is less than attractive when protecting their homes or communities. Men are intimidated by screeching harridans.
The rugby final was won by England, with a score of 33 to 13. It was a good match, played with concentration and intent until the very last minute. There was no aggression, and none of the fisticuffs sometimes seen in the men’s matches. It was the second largest crowd attendance of all time.
It was good to see the Canadian Prime Minister there, but where was the UK Prime Minister?
I don't watch sports if I can possibly avoid it, so haven't seen a Haka in a long time. I think there was a small part shown on the news once a few years back, not sure what it was for, but it was the men not the women.
ReplyDeleteWe don't watch sport all the time, but enjoy some from time to time - never football, can't abide it.
DeleteWas Sir Keef busy meeting the Australian PM while he was visiting?
ReplyDeleteI remember the haka being performed for the late Queen, barely two metres in front of her. I thought she had nerves of steel to not step back. I suppose New Zealanders get used to the haka, but if you see it rarely, it is frightening.
I think KS was meeting someone somewhere, maybe looking for a policy he could follow through and enact? (Poor chap, he does his best.)
DeleteWomen do not have to scream to be intimidating. 😀
ReplyDeleteThat is very true!!
DeleteI've seen the haka performed a few times on television. Very impressive. It's obviously very meaningful to the Maori.
ReplyDeleteI'll stop anything to watch a haka.
DeleteWhen men perform the haka before a rugby match, their voices are loud and the powerful chant is scary. I always thought the haka was to terrify the opposition team, not to thrill the audience in the stands.
ReplyDeleteIt can do both . . . 🤣😂
DeleteI have never seen women perform the Haka I must see if I can find it on YouTube.
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't have the same impact . . .
DeleteHigh-pitched women's voices are horrible! They literally hurt me, and when I hear a woman - say, a cashier at the supermarket or a waitress at a restaurant - speak in a certain kind of voice I am always so glad that it's only temporary and I don't need to share an office (or a flat!) with her.
ReplyDeleteA well-modulated voice is always preferable to a shriek.
DeleteI'm not a sports watcher, but have heard that the women's football and rugby games are more interesting these days than the men's.
ReplyDeleteThe women seem to play with more love of the game, it seems.
DeleteI love the haka. One of the best my brother sent to me years ago before a game between the All Blacks and Wallabies. He was way up in the stands somewhere but his recording was loud and clear.
ReplyDeleteI think that one may be on YouTube. Lucky brother.
DeleteI used to watch The haka in a parliement debate or something on youtube. Knowing other culture from other countries is absolutely amazing and interesting
ReplyDeleteIMHO, the absence of the UK Prime Minister feels like a missed opportunity to show support.
Perhaps what he was doing was considered more important.
DeleteThe final was a great match, we both enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteBoth sides played so well.
DeleteI'm curious to see the haka. I may have to google it.
ReplyDeleteThere are lots of clips on YouTube.
DeleteI've watched the Haka performed on YouTube especially by Jason Mamoa. Very impressive.
ReplyDeleteIt is.
DeleteThe Haka is new to me, and I've only seen rugby played once. I'm curious, too.
ReplyDelete😁
Deletefor 40 years the sounds of sports and newscasts have resounded in my ears as hubby watches, I pretend I am in the book I am reading in the other room.now that I have to stay in the room with him, its really hard to ignore. he doesn't watch rugby but likes women's baseball and volleyball and driving race cars and used to watch something called rollerball I think
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to shut out the noise, isn't it?
DeleteA little sport goes a long way for me ...... congratulations to the Women's Rugby and Football Teams
ReplyDeleteAlison in Devon x
I'm not an avid follower, by any means, but this was special.
ReplyDeleteGlad our Prime Minister was there
ReplyDeleteYes, it was good to see him.
ReplyDeleteThose Haka are something else indeed, although I've yet to see and hear it be performed by women! xxx
ReplyDeleteThe women have every right to perform haka but I just prefer to hear the men. 😊
DeleteI'm not familiar with the Haka....I need to read up on this. Happy Sunday
ReplyDelete😊
DeleteAlthough I didn't watch either the football or the rugby I do know that the England woman's teams have had a very successful year, and I do add my congratulations to both the Women's Rugby and Football Teams on their wins.
ReplyDeleteNow at the moment I am concentrating on the Ryder Cup :)
All the best Jan
Enjoy, Jan.
DeleteVery interesting about the Māori dances- I had Never heard of it but I just watched a YouTube showing it. Thanks for explaining it.
ReplyDeleteThere are many different versions. I believe some are composed for special occasions.
ReplyDeleteI will have to check out 'the haka.' It is Greek to me!
ReplyDeleteI really must get access to a TV for big sporting events.
ReplyDelete