The affront had to be erased. While the record for the largest haka in the world has been held by Brive-la-Gaillarde since 2014, 6,531 people sang the song on September 29. die, the song that accompanies the dance from Maori traditions, as reported on the site of Radio New Zealand.
The public station of the archipelago, also called Aotearoa, its Maori name, interviewed Dame Hinewehi Mohi, who bears the astonishing title of cultural ambassador of the haka, and who founded the Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust, which is the organizer of the event.
“The haka is an important part of our culture and it was vital to reclaim the ‘mana’ of this world record to the French to bring it back to its country of origin, ensuring that it is executed correctly and with integrity.”
“Mana”, a Polynesian word, designates a supernatural force conferring magical or charismatic effectiveness. However, this force will have been fleeting to say the least, since it only took one minute of dancing – or four It will die – to save the record. The organizers were counting on 10,000 participants, but the attendance was well below their expectations.
Back in 1987
But more was certainly needed to dampen the excitement of those present at Eden Park in Auckland, galvanized in particular by “the participation of former All Blacks captain Wayne ‘Buck’ Shelford – who is credited with the revival of die, when the decision was made to perform a haka at home for the first Rugby World Cup in 1987,” explains it New Zealand Herald. The former player specifies:
“Today, I remember the pride I felt on this same field [de l’Eden Park] in the 1987 Rugby World Cup final against France.”
“After I led the first haka back then, the team won 29-9 against the Frenchpoursuit Buck Shelford. I know that today, after all these years, we will bring this world record title back to Aotearoa, where it belongs.” The French, already… When it comes to rugby, the rivalry between Blacks and Blues is definitely hidden everywhere.
