Ka mate, ka mate! ka ora! ka ora! | 'Tis death! 'tis death! (or: I may die) 'Tis life! 'tis life! (or: I may live) |
After watching the video, we had to read the haka lyrics, research and answer some questions about the Māori Battalion and the haka, Ka Mate.
When King George V declared war on Germany in August 1914, he did so for Britain and his dominions and colonies throughout the Empire. Across New Zealand, thousands of men volunteered in support of their mother-country. Between 1914 - 1918, more than 120,000 New Zealanders - nearly 20% of the country's eligible manpower served with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, the Royal Navy or units of the British Army.
While a small number of Māori volunteered to serve with regional soldier units, Britain and New Zealand continued a pre-war policy opposing the formation of an all-Māori unit to fight in a war against Europeans. Yet, by 1918, over 25,000 Māori soldiers had served overseas, the majority in what became known as the Māori Pioneer Battalion.
It took determined political campaigning to overcome objections to forming all-Māori units. In 1914, Māori politicians like Apirana Ngata and Maui Pomare successfully argued that all New Zealanders, including Māori, should be allowed to fight in defence of the Empire.
Despite initially being exempt from the 1916 Military Service Act, Māori from the most resistance tribes were registered for conscription in June 1917 after campaigning by Maui Pomare. However, none were forced ultimately to serve overseas.
On 14 February 1915, the first Māori troops left New Zealand on the troopship SS Warrimoo bound for assigned duties in Egypt and Malta, freeing up regular troops for the Gallipoli Campaign that began on 25 April.
Māori soldiers were soon overcome by the significant number of casualties from the campaign. Arriving at North Beach in ANZAC Cove, Gallipoli, on 3rd July, the body of troops established itself at 'Outpost No 1' which became known as 'Māori Pa'. During the assault on Chunuk Bair (war between the Ottoman Empire and the Allies - 6 August 1915 to 10 August 1915) in early August, the body of troops fought alongside other units of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force for the first time. This is also the first time many Europeans heard the Māori haka "ka mate, ka mate, ka ora, ka ora" called as they attacked the Turkish lines.
The haka, Ka Mate was composed by Ngāti Toa chief Te Rauparaha, captain of the Tainui canoe, born at Kawahi in the 1760s and died at Ōtaki in 1849. The story of the composition of Kate Mate is well known within the oral histories of Ngāti Toa and Ngāti Tūwharetoa, the two iwis (tribes) most associated with the haka's origins. Ka Mate was composed in 1820 as a celebration of life over death after his lucky escape from pursuing Ngāti Maniapoto and Waikato enemies.
The Ka Mate haka is a ceremonial Māori dance or challenge. The haka is usually performed in a group and typically represent a display of a tribe's pride, strength and unity.
The actions include foot-stamping, tongue protrusions and rhythmic body slapping to accompany a loud chant. The words of a haka often poetically describe ancestors and events in the tribe's history.
Commonly, the haka was performed when two parties met as part of the customs around encounters.
For instance, the haka was used on the battlefield to prepare warriors mentally and physically for the battle, but it was also performed when groups came together in peace.
Today, the haka is still used during Māori ceremonies and celebrations to honour guests and show the importance of the occasion. This includes family events, such as weddings, and birthdays.
Haka dances can be performed at weddings as a show of respect, to show reverence for the couple and their guests or to mark the important milestone.
At weddings, women may also join the haka performance.
The haka is also used to challenge opponents on the sports field. The All Blacks (New Zealand Rugby Team), performs the haka before each match in a stunning show of strength and physical bravery. The All Blacks used to do the 'Ka Mate' as their haka, which has been famous all around the world since it became a part of their pregame ritual of the All Blacks.
The Black Ferns (New Zealand's Women Rugby Team) are also famous for participating the haka. The haka they perform before an international match was called 'Ko Uhia Mai' which means 'Let it be known' as was composed by Whetu Tipiwai.
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