The Haka

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By Brannavan Gnanalingam | 24 Jul, 2006

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I’VE BEEN watching All Black games for some time and thought it was strange how Maori and whiteys do the haka together. From my understanding of New Zealand history (which they don’t really teach in most high schools where there are predominantly white people) Maori and whiteys fought in wars against each other. What about us Sri Lankans caught in the crossfire?

E: New Zealand Rugby Union, E—– speaking

B: Hi I’m just calling to say as a Sri Lankan immigrant to this country, it’s just great to see how this country gets together behind the All Blacks.

E: Yep

B: And I’m wondering, coming from a country that’s had a lot of problems with war too, would the All Blacks consider doing a Sri Lankan war dance before the game?

E: Umm… I don’t think so because it’s a New Zealand thing and we’re a New Zealand team so we’d just really like to keep on doing our New Zealand, New Zealand dance.

B: It could be a good sign of our friendship between the two countries because as far as I can tell no Sri Lankan has ever killed a Maori or vice versa or anything like that.

E: No no. There are many countries we have fantastic relationships with but I think because it is our national team we just like to keep on doing our own personal, and national dance.

B: I just thought it could be less historically problematic. You know with all the Treaty of Waitangi, and all the problems that happened with the white people killing the Maori that it might be a nice touch

E: Yep

B: We don’t actually have a war dance. We do have dance and we do have a war though.

E: Hahahaha.

B: Maybe I should come up with something?

E: Well you’re most welcome to come up with something and let us know about it

B: Excellent! Cool thanks

E: No problem, bye-bye

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Brannavan Gnanalingam

Brannavan Gnanalingam has come a long way from being born in the teeming metropolis of Colombo, Sri Lanka. He may be known as feature writer for Salient, but is also the only man in history to have simultaneously donated both his kidneys. He is also an amateur rapper going under the moniker Brantank and hopes to win a Grammy.