Farewelling their colleagues
August 28th, 2012 at 2:19 pm by David FarrarI only found this video because Piers Morgan from CNN tweeted it. Very moving. The Defence Force explain at You Tube:
Haka is used throughout New Zealand by many, not only Māori, to demonstrate their collective thoughts. There is a haka for each of the Services, as well as the Defence Force. Units with the NZ Army have their own haka. This video shows the soldiers of 2/1 RNZIR Battalion performing their Unit haka, powerfully acknowledging the lives and feats of their fallen comrades as they come onto the Unit’s parade ground. It is also an emotive farewell for they will leave via the waharoa (the carved entrance way) for the very last time.
Haka –sometimes termed a posture dance could also be described as a chant with actions. There are various forms of haka; some with weapons some without, some have set actions others may be ‘free style.’ Haka is used by Māori (indigenous people of New Zealand) for a myriad of reasons; to challenge or express defiance or contempt, to demonstrate approval or appreciation, to encourage or to discourage, to acknowledge feats and achievements, to welcome, to farewell, as an expression of pride, happiness or sorrow. There is almost no inappropriate occasion for haka; it is an outward display of inner thoughts and emotions. Within the context of an occasion it is abundantly clear which emotion is being expressed.
They will not be forgotten.
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August 28th, 2012 at 2:26 pm
Neolibs take note! – Even Piers Morgan can spell Maori correctly without resorting to butchering Te Reo by using ” Maoris”.
Vote:August 28th, 2012 at 2:51 pm
wow, 7 minutes for the first troll, and it had to be Ham.
DPF can you delete that idiots post (and then mine). this post is about a moving haka for fallen servicemen, not an opportunity for Ham and his fellow travellers to make political digs.
Vote:August 28th, 2012 at 3:19 pm
I second that
Vote:August 28th, 2012 at 3:21 pm
DPF – I agree with Grendel. On reflection my post should be removed as there is a perception it could be disrespectful to service people. While it was not my intention to be disrespectful, I acknowledge the post made reference to Haka in the context of farewelling service people. I apologise for making the comment.
Vote:August 28th, 2012 at 3:28 pm
Moving. Very moving.
Vote:August 28th, 2012 at 3:46 pm
@Hamfisted: Not for the first time, you display the attributes of a total stalk.
Up to DPF of course, but I think your comment should remain for all to see – it serves as a confirmation of your status as a complete, unthinking, gormless moron.
In fact, you’ve sunk to a depth way beyond the reaches of morons…
Vote:August 28th, 2012 at 3:50 pm
Hamfisted’s comment should stay. It’s a lesson in free speech – Hamfisted was free to write it, and we’re free to see what type of person Hamfisted is…..
Vote:August 28th, 2012 at 3:51 pm
Elaycee – Fair call – I’ll put up with any stick I get over this. Fully deserved.
Vote:August 28th, 2012 at 3:57 pm
Thank you David – very powerful. Makes me miss New Zealand so very much.
And Hamnida some things transcend ideology or political correctness and the death on active service of our soldiers is one of them.
Vote:August 28th, 2012 at 4:37 pm
I found it very moving as the Haka is an expression of emotion in the context it is being performed. In this case i could feel the pain of the loss but also a message of hope and defiance. It is the mixture of those emotions in the context it is being performed makes the Haka something very special and unique to this country.
Vote:August 28th, 2012 at 8:31 pm
I’d be happy to see the haka traded in for a few of these.
http://www.google.co.nz/search?q=mine+resistant+ambush+protected&hl=en&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=8oA8UJLmKemyiQf714HwCw&sqi=2&ved=0CDoQsAQ&biw=1142&bih=598
I’d throw in Auntie Helens LAV’s too if it would sweeten the deal.
Vote:August 28th, 2012 at 9:28 pm
Although the Haka is thousands of years old I think it first entered the NZ Army in 1915 with the first Maori Pioneer Battalion, as it had done, in other forms, served battles and welcomes, for decades, and centuries earlier. It was the Pioneers who were first told, to their dismay, that they may not fight in a war among white men. But fight they did at Gallipoli when the battle was dire and the right to fight had become indistinguishable from the panic of impending defeat.
I think that Haka was for the 3 Infantry troopers just killed and the many more gone before, both killed or wounded, in action or brought down by age, for all New Zealanders. And so they were home.
Vote:August 28th, 2012 at 11:26 pm
Both powerful and emotional. A time to collectively express an outpouring of feelings. Then silence – respect and remembrance for the fallen.
As an aside I hope it’s shown on Al Jazeera. For Taliban leadership – the warrior culture of the NZ Army, not to be messed with as expressed by the haka. For the general populance there – the respect NZ’ers show to both sexes of its society. The fact NZ’ers give a damn for the people of Bamyan and have put their lives on the line there for them. These very values (and others) which hopefully the new generations of Al Jazeera followers there growing up will realise over time is one of the keys to safeguarding their own prosperity, whilst rejecting those that manipulate the koran and pray on people’s ignorance for their own murderous ends.
Vote:August 29th, 2012 at 6:36 am
It’s been a time marked by contrasts. Some have dismissed their sacrifice and exploited it with their ill-considered selfish words. Others paid tribute to them with their heart-felt outpouring of gratitude and respect.
I know which I am, and my conscience is …. well ok.
Condolences their families.
Vote:August 29th, 2012 at 8:00 am
I think that somehow the use of the Haka has become a bit religious. Sort of like belief in man made global warming. Everyone seems to think that belief in the process will solve the problem.
Personally I think this current glorification of death has gone bit over the top.
Vote:August 29th, 2012 at 8:34 am
It would increase the sum of human knowledge if that piece of Canadian excre ….. were to take note.
Now double banger name, self proclaimed “film maker” (that really says it all: a female Michael “Moararse”), claims that her complaint over “death” threats was “laughed at” by Police and DF folk.
Vote:August 29th, 2012 at 8:44 am
Very emotional video. Makes me proud to be a Kiwi.
Safe journey my friends…. We will not forget your sacrifice.
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