Courtesy of our mate Aloys. Thanks mate...a good gesture to forward this one on to us.

I think this will touch you. I know it did to me.

Regards,

Aloys

NZDF Fallen Comrade Haka



Cheers, Vince

WOW!

What a memorial and testament.

The sniper in the ghillie suit (at the end) was different.

They know how it's done. I'm in tears.....that was awsome

Thanks Aloys, and Vince.

Awesome indeed.
Thanks for the post.

I watched it again, this time with a tear in my eye.

The sniper was leading the procession.

Awesome!

tears in my eyes and the hair on my neck is standing on end.
thank you for sharing that link it is so muck better than the coverage we got here.

Only played it today, what a send off! Hair on the neck indeed.
I liked the sole scout who stood there as they challenged and approached. New Zealand; we know how to send warriors off to their last rest....
Been involved in a few Police send offs like this....not to that scale though
Fricken awesome, makes me proud to be a kiwi

Could any of you kiwis translate the haka to us?
trully awesome, but surely it would mean much more if we understand more of the gestures and words.

It sounds "Zulu" to me...

Now I think it's rather strange that some "nut" on the other side of the world has to show such a habit (is that the right word?) in your own country.

And I first hesitated to forward this one. The line between honour and ridiculous show is sometimes very thin, sure on the fast life on the internet nowadays... and using the wrong word at the wrong moment could offend someone which is easely done when using a foreign language...
But I see Vince made the right decision when he put it here.

Yes Aloys...the HAKA is a very special dance/ceremony to the New Zealand people. This is the first time I have seen it used like this, as a farewell for one of their warriors...very moving and humbling.

You most certainly didn't offend anyone mate...in fact, quite the opposite...I know you have made at least two men very proud...our mates in New Zealand, Elvis and Radar.

Cheers, Vince

the haka is a challenge, as you will see it done usually by the all blacks before a game. it does get overdone and done in all sorts of wierd times but it truely has meaning when seen in context.
the stories I have been told of the Maori Battalion charging the German trenches singing out thier challenge as they went in the dark, they say the enemy were very spooked by this as you can well imagine. back at that time it was true warriors in the old sense of the word that filled the ranks.
there is only 3 sounds that stand the hair up on my neck
a red stag roaring up close
the bagpipes
and the hake in context.
having scottish and maori in my bloodlines will explain that.

Pumpkin, I am well aware of the wikipedia version of explanation.

However as a word Haka means "war cry" or "posture dance" loosely translated this means "song and dance".
As you know there are many many flavor of song and dances.
I know of the All Black's Te Rauparaha "Ka Mate" haka, I have seen this plenty times.

However this one Haka for Fallen Comrade is a new one to me.
I was hoping one of the kiwis can elaborate a little.