Ethan Zuckerman has a great post today on "cultural appropriation." Well, it seems that a high school football team in Euless, TX (outside of Dallas, where I live) has been doing the "Haka." It's a traditional Maori dance... and quite intimidating. See for yourself below.
Now it may be that someone on the team is close to the Maori heritage... or it may be that they appropriated the ritual from another, more famous sports team, the All Blacks rugby squad from New Zealand, arguably the best rugby team of all time. Watch them below. Update: it seems that there are, in fact, South Pacific roots in Euless!
Whatever the case, the Haka makes for a great show, and is a great sign of culture making its way across the globe... all the way to Euless, TX.
What's amazing is that the Euless' high school football team was more intimidating than the Rugby team. Interesting translation on wikipedia:
’Tis death! ‘tis death! (or: I may die) ’Tis life! ‘tis life! (or: I may live)
’Tis death! ‘tis death! ’Tis life! ‘tis life!
This the hairy man that stands here...
…who brought the sun and caused it to shine
A step upward, another step upward!
A step upward, another... the Sun shines!
Posted by: John Herrington | November 14, 2008 at 09:35 AM