Hakka dances look ridiculous and are not "fearsome", amirite?

The Maori Haka is not supposed to be intimidating or fearsome, it is a communal expression of that group's heritage. They can also tell a story from a tribe (iwi)'s history, and contain elements like the shaking hands motion that have been part of the tradition for centuries and reference tales of their native mythology. The "haka" that most non-Kiwis think of nowadays seen before sports games is actually a sign of respect to their opponents in a sense, as far as I can gather, and isn't intended to scare them off or impact their performance or whatever. The performance of traditional Haka would also have been to drum up fighting spirit within the performers, not to attempt to break the enemy's morale. I'm not Maori or even a Kiwi, I got all this from two minutes of quick googling - you should give it a go before making jabs at other cultures' traditions out of pocket, that's ignorant and a bad habit.

by Objective_Item_4375 1 week ago

Because its very popular "unpopular" opinion. Some people think that their opinion of a war dance means more then the culture of those people.

by Hermistonelna 1 week ago

I agree, but the Maori actually doing the Haka would likely be far more terrifying than the examples I've seen. The Maori are brutal.

by Potential_Ad_2474 1 week ago

Lmao what? Doing a silly little dance with your tongue out is the least threatening thing I can imagine. The hakka looks like a toddler trying to scare off another toddler

by Exact_Experience_877 1 week ago

Or you could just off them while they're doing that stupid dance unarmed.

by Anonymous 1 week ago

Yeah but they're not in tribal wear adorned with weapons are they? They're wearing pants suits and jerseys trying to look tough by making the face a constipated toddler makes. I could not literally think of a less threatening thing to see except maybe a crippled puppy

by Exact_Experience_877 1 week ago

Well, usually, I see Haka performed by NZ non-natives in normal clothing. This is just silly and far from the people the dances were designed for. A hulking tattooed troop of warriors coordinating a dance like that vs. Common everyday white people? Totally different story.

by Potential_Ad_2474 1 week ago

I hate to tell you but a "hulking tattooed troop of warriors" coordinating anything looks intimidating. The hakka itself isn't done by any warriors. It's done by sports players and politicians. You could have a troop of tattooed 300lb warriors do the macarena or the electric slide and it will look just as intimidating

by Exact_Experience_877 1 week ago

I mean, I'm not arguing. I agree that any coordinated dancing looks ridiculous when done by a group of white people, too?

by Potential_Ad_2474 1 week ago

You mock but it worked. Haka as a protest not only delayed the bill but put worldwide spot light on a young politician.

by Hermistonelna 1 week ago

Except they don't have a filibuster rule. I hate to be the one to tell you but American politics isn't the only one and other nations have different rules. Strom Thurmond famously spoke for 24 hours against the Civil Rights act in 1957. It didn't work. Neither did Ted Cruz reading Green Eggs and Ham in protest of the ACA. I would rather watch her do a Haka then Ted Cruz read Green Eggs and Ham any day of the week.

by Hermistonelna 1 week ago

Delayed and spotlighted for being morons, sure.

by Anonymous 1 week ago

Wait are you calling the Maori people stupid!? What the hell are you talking about? They are protesting chances in one their governments most important document in regards to the Maori.

by Hermistonelna 1 week ago

You should say that to a Maori dude to his face...😂😂

by Anonymous 1 week ago

Oh, the threat of his fist on my face is very fearsome. Just not the dance.

by Anonymous 1 week ago

Well seeing as if you were to laugh at the guy...that would make him even angrier so ya,I would say it's fearsome.

by Anonymous 1 week ago

Ya an angry Islander is scary. A charging Islander is very scary. But the Hakka, not so much. Doesn't mean I would laugh. It's not like it's funny. That would be rude.

by Anonymous 1 week ago

Why? Would he Hakka then and there trying to scare me?

by dooleybrenna 1 week ago

You could at least spell it right, although it seems like your intention is to be as offensive as possible

by Anonymous 1 week ago

You've never been in a fight with a Maori /islander have you 😂😂😉

by Anonymous 1 week ago

That's quite literally not the point lmao

by precious86 1 week ago

"Oh, you have an opinion? Violence will solve that." -Adults with the emotional capacity of a toddler.

by RoyalCan6766 1 week ago

I would but I can't get a word in with him screaming at me.

by Electrical-Bag 1 week ago

Again, you've never been in a fight with a Maori dude/islander ...good luck and God speed my man 😂

by Anonymous 1 week ago

Ya, sounds like white people alright !

by Anonymous 1 week ago

Super weird you mention that because the Haka at Parliament was over that very Treaty Europeans signed. They let a shady deal do the talking.

by Hermistonelna 1 week ago

No one is surprised that certain groups of ppl don't like it when other groups of ppl make them acknowledge history.

by Anonymous 1 week ago

My dislike of the Hakka has nothing to do with culture or context, just the actual 30 seconds of weird dancing.

by dooleybrenna 1 week ago

Do you feel the same about Native Americans? That they have silly dances?

by Hermistonelna 1 week ago

True for some, but for others sometimes we laugh because something looks silly and not because we're ignoring history.

by Anonymous 1 week ago

Agree for the most part. Do like it when they do it at rugby though

by Walker69 1 week ago

It's very entertaining.

by No-Monk 1 week ago

Completely agree. Probably terrifying when you are up against absolutly jacked Maori just about to go into battle. Kinda lame when they do it at sporting events and weddings lol

by wwest 1 week ago

This isn't an unpopular opinion. It's racism. The Maori people don't do hakas for our entertainment. It's a sacred cultural tradition that goes back generations. To call a cultural practice like the haka "dumb", "weird", and "ridiculous" because you don't understand the weight and history of it is just baffling to me.

by nrodriguez 1 week ago

It's racism. No, it isn't. Grow up. The Maori people don't do hakas for our entertainment. You can literally hire them to perform at events. It's a sacred cultural tradition that goes back generations. I mean... so? Why does that mean anyone is obliged to like it, or not think it looks silly? To call a cultural practice like the haka "dumb", "weird", and "ridiculous" because you don't understand the weight and history of it is just baffling to me. Who says OP or anyone doesn't understand it? Do you think if people understand it, they'll automatically like it? Do you criticize people for enjoying it, even though they don't understand the "weight and history" of it?

by Anonymous 1 week ago

Hahaha. It's not sacred to us and it's not racism.

by Anonymous 1 week ago

That "funky dance" is a critical part of their culture. It's an expression of who they are as Maori people. They did it in parliament to protest their rights as indigenous people being threatened. Again, just because you don't understand the practice doesn't mean it's "ridiculous", "dumb", or "funky".

by nrodriguez 1 week ago

he can and those absolutely can be ridiculous. there are traditions in my own culture which I understand full well, that I know are completely dumb, ridiculous and borderline embarrassing and I absolutely refuse to observe them. just because something is a "part of a culture" does not mean it cannot be stupid, harmful, or outdated. and you shouldnt go waving the racist card on something that is not in the slightest motivated by race or prejudice but by observing a practice and finding it any of the above. think before you accuse someone

by Crystelkohler 1 week ago

YES 100%! I can't speak for everyone, but I know my family absolutely loves it when non-Native people want to take part in our culture and blend elements of their culture in (for ceremonies like weddings for example). If it comes from a place of respect, a desire to learn, and build understanding for everyone, it's absolutely beautiful.

by nrodriguez 1 week ago

With the 25th Infantry Division I think it's more about fiercely defending Hawaii rather then a desire to learn. But yes I agree. In my travels I have found that learning different cultures and customs is very easy and cool if you have respect and understanding.

by Hermistonelna 1 week ago

It must be nice to be so priviledged that you think all aspects of your cultural heritage are worth saving and are above criticism. I can't imagine what that is like.

by Otherwise-Stage-87 1 week ago

It's always nice when people are loudly and proudly uneducated and uninformed.

by Pretty-Variety 1 week ago

That last paragraph make me physically recoil out of cringe

by NoActuary8110 1 week ago

I mean, yeah, because you've only ever seen it outside of the context of "those people are going to trying to kill me within the next 5 minutes"

by Anonymous 1 week ago

But in that context, anything would be scary...

by Anonymous 1 week ago

But being loud allows you to be scary from a distance

by Anonymous 1 week ago

From my understanding they did all that first. It was a controversial bill that targeted natives. To be honest, it had the same result of an American filibuster. US Senator Ted Cruz read Green Eggs and Ham to try and fight ACA. At least Haka has culture.

by Hermistonelna 1 week ago

then you have a protest, you have the citizens march and then in that situation you can do a hakka that is led by native MPs.

by Durganhilma 1 week ago

That was the protest and it worked. They delayed voting and most think it won't pass. I don't know much about NZ parliament but it seems like it was a legal protest within their systems. That young MP just became known worldwide.

by Hermistonelna 1 week ago

The protest has been going for the last week and reached parliament today.

by Anonymous 1 week ago

I don't get those vibes from the Hakka

by dooleybrenna 1 week ago

I understand that. You don't have to personally find it that way but I'm saying, I don't think it's meant to be aesthetically pleasing & it does tell a story

by alexandra71 1 week ago

It gives a constipated vibe

by Exact_Experience_877 1 week ago

I don't typically widen my eyes & stick out my tongue when I'm constipated. Is this something that you do?

by alexandra71 1 week ago

Not really, he's just saying the dance is daft.

by Suspicious-Young6263 1 week ago

We all must respect the cannibal war tribes silly dance or we're racist guys.

by Used_Pop_2889 1 week ago

You immediately go to race. I think you're the racist.

by Life_Outside 1 week ago

definitely

by Consistent_Local 1 week ago

If I criticized highland dancing, would I be racist?

by Anonymous 1 week ago

Agreed. And it isn't racist to think it looks stupid af

by Anonymous 1 week ago

bit like your opinion, ridiculous

by Anonymous 1 week ago

HOW DO YOU KNOW MY NAME??

by Sudden-Reach 1 week ago

How is more crazy then American filibuster rules?

by Hermistonelna 1 week ago

I wasn't making any comparisons, but yea filibusters are super ridiculous too! I saw a video of a Senator falling asleep during his filibuster haha

by dooleybrenna 1 week ago

There is/was a fisherman on deadliest catch named Freddy, and he was quite fearsome doing the Hakka.

by Anonymous 1 week ago

Even 2,000 years ago, it would look ridiculously cringe. Like imagine Julius Caesar doing the Hakka. Cringe in any circumstance. Brainless barbarians are NOT cool.

by Anonymous 1 week ago

Agreed. I think its silly pageantry at best, and usually comes off as a cope. Generally speaking, fearsome warriors don't walk around pounding their chests at one another or their enemies. Sure the Maori successfully executed the genocide of the Moriori people, but only a years later, found themselves at the mercy of a fantastically more advanced and skilled band of warriors from the Western world. Not to say that one group is better than another, we're all people. But communicating your cultural heritage through a flimsy "war dance" just looks desperate. I have a soft spot for the Haka reactions at rugby matches where the opposing team just stands shoulder to shoulder and laughs at the goofy display.

by Otherwise-Stage-87 1 week ago

You can't even get the name of it right, so why should anyone take your opinion seriously?

by Hot-Dream886 1 week ago

Agreed. As a kid, when I first saw them on TV, they looked cool. However the older I get and the more I see them the lamer it looks. Especially when it's done as a protest, it always ends up looking like a temper tantrum instead of something that's supposed to have meaning.

by Keelingrahul 1 week ago

But the protest worked. In fact it worked better then most American filibusters.

by Hermistonelna 1 week ago

theyre for attention seeking. one did it, got viral, then suddenly everyone was "native" and wanted to do it on their "white wedding", on their "western sport event" and so on.

by Anonymous 1 week ago

Yeah it may not have the shock factor anymore but if you saw it in it's intended time and place you'd probably think otherwise.

by Key_Shine_5011 1 week ago

Youre just jealous bc you got no swag

by Anonymous 1 week ago

lol your jealousy is showing

by fisheralene 1 week ago

Of?

by dooleybrenna 1 week ago

Their dancing, your just insecure, especially with how a emotive your language is

by fisheralene 1 week ago

Are you implying that I couldn't perform a Hakka dance If I wanted to? Sorry but it doesn't look difficult at all.

by dooleybrenna 1 week ago

Oh, I'm not implying it. I'm out right telling you that while they may not look ridiculous doing it. You certainly would 😉

by fisheralene 1 week ago

Who's the real hater here? Looks like you bub. You don't even know me.

by dooleybrenna 1 week ago

On hun, no hate :) just facts 🤷‍♀️

by fisheralene 1 week ago

It takes real effort to become this ignorant.

by dooleybrenna 1 week ago

They make me cry. I'm not even afraid or in any way related to the Māori culture. It's just like too much emotion. Happens every time I have seen one performed.

by Anonymous 1 week ago

I.dare you to stand a few feet away from the All Blacks after they perform the Hakka and say that… You would be peeing your pants, my friend…

by Anonymous 1 week ago

I disagree with OP but hate it when people make arguments like yours. I think people holding guns sideways look dumb and ridiculous. But I'm not going to walk up to a guy doing it and say that

by abigail43 1 week ago

It's not meant to prove logically that your opinion is bad, it's an argument that your opinion is really only relevant to you. Sure, it would be dumb to say it to their faces and get your ass kicked or whatever is being implied, but the point is that you wouldn't do it -- this opinion isn't that important even to you, at least it's not serious enough to face real consequences.

by Anonymous 1 week ago

"I'm not going to walk up to a guy doing it and say that" Which makes you disagree with OPs last point, which is what this argument is clearly aiming at.

by Arden84 1 week ago

How is intimidation going to sway this person's opinion?

by Fisherdemarcus 1 week ago

like THIS ?

by Otherwise-Stage-87 1 week ago

Maximum cringe

by Altruistic_Reply_906 1 week ago

I agree I personally find them just dumb. I know how culturally important they are but I don't really see them as anything but cringy unless it's at a culture event

by Anonymous 1 week ago

It's literally a way of saying welcome and various other things. It's not just a dance used for intimidation anymore

by Kautzercolumbus 1 week ago

Yeah like I said I understand the cultural aspect I still think it looks dumb in any situation outside of a cultural event. To me its not different than dancing to welcome someone to their house I'll still think it's cringy as hell. But everyone should be able to do what they want to represent their culture like that so I won't complain too much

by Anonymous 1 week ago