Le rugby

The haka is a ritual wardance of the aboriginal Maori people of New Zealand, in 1926 a British colony. The men stand firmly on both legs fronting the enemy and shout a threatening row of loud growls while rolling eyes, pulling out tongue and drumming their chests in rhythm. It was made popular by the All Blacks rugby national team, who start every international game with this picturesque manly choreography. It keeps alive an age-old custom from the culture of the South Sea Islanders.

The loud shouts and wild gesticulations are felt by the French spectators of 1926 as highly entertaining, the Parisians were amused by white men behaving like what they saw as exotic savages. The sports correspondent remarks that the Parisian side was unimpressed.

Le haka est une danse rituelle, d'origine maorie, exécutée à l'occasion de fêtes ou avant de partir à la guerre. Le haka est aujourd'hui associé à l'équipe des All Blacks de Nouvelle-Zélande.

Toutefois, cette coutume est également le fait d'autres nations du Pacifique sud, telles que le Tonga (sipi tau), les Samoa (siva tau), les Fidji (cibi) où l'héritage maori conserve une vitalité.