New Zealand reclaimed the world record for the largest collective haka on Sunday after more than 6,000 people performed the legendary Maori war dance, dethroning France.
The record was broken at Eden Park rugby stadium in Auckland, where thousands of men, women and children gathered to perform the traditional native challenge, which involves vigorous movements, kicking and shouting rhythmic.
A judge confirmed that 6,531 participants performed the “Ka Mate” haka, made famous by the All Blacks rugby team, who perform it just before test matches.
The world record had been held by France since September 2014, when 4,028 people slapped their thighs and sang following a rugby match in Brive-la-Gaillarde, in the southwest of the France.
Auckland organizers were hoping for up to 10,000 participants, but were still delighted that the record had been taken by New Zealand, where the haka is considered a national treasure.
“We want to bring the mana (pride) of the haka home,” Michael Mizrahi, head of the Auckland attempt, told AFP.
Previous attempts involving crowds of more than 5,000 people on New Zealand soil failed because Guinness World Records officials did not approve them, Mizrahi said.
The Ka Mate haka was composed around 1820 by the warrior chief Te Rauparaha to celebrate his escape from a group of warriors from a rival tribe who were pursuing him.
Under New Zealand law, a Maori tribe, the Ngati Toa, based in Porirua, a suburb of Wellington, is recognized as the cultural guardians of Ka Mate haka.
