Unusual ‘victory dance’ in parliament: Haka by New Zealand’s youngest MP (21) goes viral

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The scene seems almost absurd: serious faces of MPs sitting impassively, while the youngest politician in the parliament chamber performs a haka – the traditional Maori war dance, which is also a dance ritual. Now a young politician turned it into a victory dance.

With this haka, 21-year-old Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke celebrated her entry into the New Zealand parliament. She is the youngest female MP in 170 years and is New Zealand’s indigenous Maori. The Maori make up about one-sixth of the country’s population.

The haka quickly lit up the faces of the MPs. The people in the stands danced and sang along. Soon, the MPs in the room began to smile and even laugh.

Source of pride

Maipi-Clarke ousted one of the country’s most respected MPs in October’s elections. In mid-December she stood in the House of Representatives for the first time – and delivered her inaugural lecture with a haka.

“I will die for you, but I will also live for you,” Maipi-Clarke said at the haka, which was also a cultural performance – with an authentic indigenous battle cry.

Haka is a source of pride for all New Zealanders. It is performed worldwide, mainly by the New Zealand national rugby union team, the All Blacks and the country’s armed forces.

Source: Blick