0 a traditional war dance of the Maori people of New Zealand, sometimes performed before a sports event by the New Zealand team
The value of sport as a binding agent (and the continued performance of the haka in rugby games) has been challenged in recent years.
Haka are performed for various reasons: for amusement, as a hearty welcome to distinguished guests, or to acknowledge great achievements, occasions or funerals.
The design is sometimes interpreted as the arms of warriors caught in haka (fierce rhythmic dance) action.
Paepule was quoted in saying that they plan to adjust the haka before the start of the 2007 fall season.
If the haka was not performed in total unison, this was regarded as a bad omen for the battle.
In modern times, various haka have been composed to be performed by women and even children.
In the early decades of international rugby, they sometimes performed other haka, some of which were composed for specific tours.
For some years she was a judge at the national kapa haka competitions.
