This is the traditional haka composed by Te Rauparaha in 1820. There is also another haka composed in 2005 entitled Kapa o pango — this will be posted tomorrow.
Ringa pakia! | Slap the hands against the thighs! |
Uma tiraha! | Puff out the chest. |
Turi whatia! | Bend the knees! |
Hope whai ake! | Let the hip follow! |
Waewae takahia kia kino! | Stomp the feet as hard as you can! |
Ka mate, ka mate | ‘I die, I die, |
Ka ora’ Ka ora’ | ‘I live, ‘I live, |
Ka mate, ka mate | ‘I die, ‘I die |
Ka ora Ka ora “ | ‘I live, ‘I live, |
Tēnei te tangata pūhuruhuru | This is the fierce, powerful man (some versions say ‘the hairy man’) |
Nāna i tiki mai whakawhiti te rā | …Who caused the sun to shine again for me |
Upane… Upane | Up the ladder, Up the ladder |
Upane Kaupane” | Up to the top |
Whiti te rā,! | The sun shines! |
Hī! | Rise! |