The title was reclaimed from France; the traditional Maori dance is iconic in rugby culture.
A customary dance of the Maori people.
A customary dance of the Maori people.
Difficulty: Summiteer (Level 3)
New Zealand has set the world record for the most people to perform the haka, a dance of the country’s indigenous Maori people. The title has been reclaimed from France.
The record attempt was held in Auckland’s Eden Park, where 6,531 people performed the dance. It surpassed the record of 4,028 people held by France since 2014.
The haka was traditionally a way to welcome visiting tribes or energise warriors ahead of battle. It is now performed at important events and is well-known as part of the New Zealand rugby team’s pregame ritual.
There are many types of haka, but the one that was performed at the world record attempt is the most well-known. It was composed around 1920 by Te Rauparaha, chief of the Ngati Toa iwi or tribe.
Answer: a traditional dance of the Maori people