2nd 1st farewell their fallen comrades with a huge haka

[cecilia]

Haka is used throughout New Zealand by many, not only Māori, to demonstrate their collective thoughts. There is a haka for each of the Services, as well as the Defence Force. Units with the NZ Army have their own haka. This video shows the soldiers of 2/1 RNZIR Battalion performing their Unit haka, powerfully acknowledging the lives and feats of their fallen comrades as they come onto the Unit's parade ground. It is also an emotive farewell for they will leave via the waharoa (the carved entrance way) for the very last time.

 

[adz]

Always admired the Māori, their culture is quite remarkable, I also like how what is effectively a colonial institution (the Army) has taken to adopting elements of it in their rituals.

 

[cecilia]

yeah, me too.

A good friend showed me Once Were Warriors many years ago. That probably was an early introduction to the culture

The art is amazing

 

[adz]

yeah, me too.

A good friend showed me Once Were Warriors many years ago. That probably was an early introduction to the culture

The art is amazing

A sad movie is that, not sure how accurate it is as we have quite a few Māori's living in Australia and the bulk of them that I've encoutered seem to be decent hard working people.

 

[cecilia]

it's only about those people, but the background - Māori -is facinating