Kapa Haka Writing (Online Learning)

 Date Created: 25/08/2021

Edit One: 26/08/2021

Edit Two: 27/08/2021

Kapa Haka Writing (Online Learning)

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What is Kapa Haka?

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Kapa Haka is a form of cultural dance related to the indiginous people of New Zealand, the Māori People. It was mostly used to threaten their enemies before war (The British Empire, Hostile Tribes etc). As times went on, not a lot of wars were actually happening. So it started to become a fun cultural activity that you can do with your friends and family as a safe group. Kapa Haka is used to express culture, welcome people, bid farewell, and reflect yourself. Kapa Haka is a way of presenting New Zealand’s national identity and it’s representation to other countries. That is why Kapa Haka is amazing. It has so many different variations. Even the New Zealand Rugby Team, the all blacks use a Haka before their games to intimidate and challenge the opposing team by demonstrating their fierceness and strength.

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Is Kapa Haka Good?

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Kapa Haka can relieve anxiety and improve sociability, because when you perform Kapa Haka you usually do it in a large (or small) group. This helps the students interact with each other as well. Being on time also plays a big part. Being able to understand each other's movements is a big thing, especially if they don’t really know each other. So in order for students to be in sync with the actions, they need to connect with each other. Learning the Kapa Haka for non Māori students enables them to appreciate the unique role of the Māori in shaping the New Zealand identity. 

Schoolnews.co.nz states that some benefits of preforming Kapa Haka are:

• affirming our unique identity as New Zealanders

• being exposed to Māori values (e.g. whanaungatanga, ako, tuakana:teina)

• gaining confidence through ‘performance’

• contributing to our holistic well-being (hauora)

• learning how to communicate meaning using visual language, e.g., action songs and haka

• developing physical stamina, fitness and coordination

• being cognitively challenged due to the demands associated with recitation, repetition and memorization

• being part of a team and gaining strength from being in a collective

• demonstrating discipline and commitment

• facilitating opportunities for leadership through a tuakana:teina approach

If students are not learning their own culture that much as well, it may have a negative effect on them. Feeling a little bit left out, and not being appreciated as who they are and where they come from. 

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Conclusion

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Learning Kapa Haka is good for you because it enables you to grow your knowledge about the Māori culture. It increases confidence and to create an identity for yourself, reconnect with your tikannga (values), culture, ancestors and have a sense of belonging. Watching or doing Kapa Haka can create positive feelings and influence the students overall wellbeing and it allows them to celebrate their unique Maoriness.