The Haka



A piece filed by the AP in advance of the Sugar Bowl game between Georgia and Hawaii notes:

"Will the Bulldogs take offense when Hawaii does its traditional Polynesian war dance before the game? "

The haka seems to be spreading in an almost viral fashion. Perhaps this is cultural Darwinism at work, that a Polynesian traditional dance genre should spread so far beyond its original practice. Perhaps it would horrify patrons of the fine arts to see that survival of some forms of culture appears to be linked with success in sporting events.

This started with the All Blacks, the New Zealand national rugby team. They have traditionally performed a haka before international matches.

It has even spread to Portland. The Jefferson High School football team performs a haka before each game. After a few games, the powers that be spread the word that if the Jefferson team persisted in this, a penalty flag would fly and the Jefferson team would start the game with a 15 yard penalty. Since then they have taken the penalty at nearly every game as a badge of honor.

Certainly for the All Blacks, this seems to buffalo some of the opponents. Some will refuse to exit their dressing rooms until it is over, some will turn their backs. It is interesting to note that many of the teams who shrink from witnessing it tend to lose. The teams that have succeeded against the All Blacks are those who face it.

So perhaps the Georgia Bulldogs should face and oppose the Hawaii team's haka. There are some ideas about using the Georgia cultural heritage for the form of the opposition, but I am quite sure that Lester Maddox masks and axe handles would be in poor taste.

Posted: Tue - January 1, 2008 at 04:11 PM        

©