The New Zealand parliament saw something amusing and unexpected in its session recently with the youngest MP of the country, Hana Rawhiti Maipi Clarke, who delivered the ancient war cry of New Zealand with her first speech. The 21-year-old young MP hails from the native Maori community of New Zealand. She started to address the parliament with the native Maori Haka performance, in order to pledge her deep commitment to the people. The Maori Haka is actually a ceremonial war dance.
Hana Rawhiti Maipi Clarke claims to be a guardian of the Maori language in New Zealand.
Here is a glimpse of the inaugural address of Hana Rawhiti Maipi Clarke, the youngest MP of New Zealand in 170 years.
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Understanding the Maori community
The Maori community of New Zealand is actually an indigenous Polynesian community. The community speaks the language "Te Rep Maori", and has a unique culture of its own.
The community consists of a myriad of tribes and sub-tribes. Interestingly, each of these holds its own customs, territory, and histories.
Why did Hana choose to perform the Haka?
Well, in ancient times, many conflicts took place in New Zealand between the indigenous Maori people and the European settlers. Community activists have thus been making efforts incessantly to safeguard the language, culture, and rights of the Maori community. Hana Rawhiti Maipi Clarke, who claims to be the guardian of the Maori language in New Zealand performs the Haka for the very same purpose.
How is the Haka performed?
The ceremonial dance of Haka is usually performed in a group. The dance involves stamping of feet and vigorous movements, along with rhythmic shouting. Traditionally, the war dance has been performed by everyone, men or women at a wide array of social occasions in the Maori culture. Some of these occasions where the Maori culture is followed are the events of acknowledging superb achievements, at funerals, or while welcoming guests.
The haka holds a robust cultural influence in New Zealand. The dance form has become a subject taught in universities ever since the 21st century. The study of dance is also taught and practiced in military institutions and schools.
Haka is an important part of the national Te Matatini festival of the country. Other than that, the dance is also practiced at regional competitions with a myriad of teams participating before thousands of viewers. The sports teams of New Zealand also perform the dance of haka before heading towards the game. For instance, the men's national basketball team and the national rugby league team have performed the haka dance before their game.
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