Ok, so not a religious type, but if I were into spiritual ritual I would be into this: the Māori Haka - it commands respect and just taps in to the total potential of a human being. Look at this [newzealand.com] Would you like to learn to do Haka?
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This is really amazing to watch and I find the Maori culture fascinating. I guess I would be hesitant though to be another ugly American who tries to appropriate another's cultural heritage as we do it all the time. I am fascinated constantly by white folk who decide to journey for a power animal and say it is a bear and in real life they know nothing about bear or have even seen one.
AmelieMatisse
Level 8
June 13, 2018
1
I love to watch the Haka! Makes me wish I were Māori!
Unfortunately, I'm just an American mongrel. All we got is "U-S-A! U-S-A!"
OldWiseAss
Level 7
June 13, 2018
1
Euless Trinity High School, the high school in my town, is known for the football team doing the Haka before each game. We have a large population of Pacific Islanders, (literally, to find more Tongans, you have to go to Tonga) so it makes sense. It is a powerful display to the opposing team, for sure, and it really unites the kids in accepting their differences and embracing them. We (my son will be a third generation student this coming year) are also known for being the most diverse high school in Texas, and the fifth most diverse high school in the United States.
Meep70
Level 7
June 13, 2018
6
@Meep70 - Wow! That sends chills down my back. Love it!
@Meep70 thanks for sharing this
@Storybook @AmelieMatisse @OldWiseAss Thank you all. In writing the above reply and sharing the video, I have come to a greater appreciation for the power that such a sharing of culture can have in a society when it is used to unite rather than separate us.
Neither. There’s something quite primeval and deeply human about Haka, which is common to other Pacific islands as well as NZ. (Surprised it doesn’t exist in Hawaii, as far as I know, as that’s where the Maoris etc. came from.) It belongs to those people - enjoy it and feel it, yes. Steal it, NO.
KevinTwining
Level 7
June 13, 2018
3
Cultural appropriation is copying someone else’s culture without learning it, respecting it, asking permission to learn it, and acknowledging what is being shared with you is a bond, and that the ritual doesn’t belong to you. When the Scots performed Haka in response to the All Blacks, I was appalled. I didn’t feel that they had asked permission or understood the depth of meaning it has, or even which tribe it came from. I am taking the time to learn about it, the types, whose tribe it belongs to, what it means to these people, what can be shared and what is sacred to them only. Then I am going to NZ to learn more about Māori culture, to understand the connection to guardianship to the land and connection to each other. If they would like to teach me haka, I would feel very very honored. I would never steal what is not mine to take!
I would dance and marry a Maori woman if she were not delusional for alleged gawds. ....I might collaborate with an American choreographer incorporating Maori movements to tel an Atheist Nature story BUT NEVER conform to theism
GreenAtheist
Level 8
June 13, 2018
0
Interesting choices. Is there a 'third way'? ???
SimonCyrene
Level 7
June 13, 2018
2
No third way! I am mean!
I believe that true Socialism is the best way to share respect. Sorry to be political.
Ellatynemouth
Level 8
June 13, 2018
3
Hey I love it! Let's all get dressed like that and meet at WalMart for a big jiggle and stomp! ?
Silver1wun
Level 7
June 13, 2018
2
The one they do at weddings is kind of beautiful.
HonkyBMcfunky
Level 6
June 13, 2018
4
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