haka

American  

[hah-kah] / ˈhɑ kɑ /

noun

1. a ceremonial Maori war dance that involves chanting.

2. a similar performance by a sports team, especially before a Rugby match in New Zealand.

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haka British  

/ ˈhɑːkə /

noun

1. a Māori war chant accompanied by gestures

2. a similar performance by a rugby team

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Etymology

Origin of haka

First recorded in 1830–40; from Maori; akin to Tongan haka “hand gestures performed in a song,” Hawaiian ha‘a, Samoan sa‘a “dance,” from assumed Proto-Polynesian saka

Example Sentences

His on-pitch energy, exuberant celebrations and unabashed confidence have made him one of the game's stars, with his lip-licking face-down of New Zealand's haka, external and role in a celebratory TikTok dance last month just the latest in a string of viral moments.

From BBC

New Zealand's traditional haka followed under the Principality Stadium spotlight before Scottish referee Hollie Davidson made history, when she became the first woman to take charge of an All Blacks match and a Welsh men's game at the Principality Stadium.

From BBC

Jamie George was pleased to have played a part in England's defiant reply to the haka but was even happier to beat New Zealand 33-19 at Twickenham in perhaps the team's best performance under coach Steve Borthwick.

From Barron's

George, himself a former England skipper, persuaded Borthwick and current skipper Maro Itoje it was worth revisiting the response to the haka england employed in a 2019 World Cup semi-final win in Japan.

From Barron's

With the haka and all that happening, it's always a cracker.

From BBC