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| Aaliyah Armstrong was so moved, she joined in the haka performed at her wedding. |
“I wasn’t planning on jumping in until one bridesmaid did," said the 21-year old bride, Aaliyah Armstrong,
Aaliyah and Benjamin Armstrong married in Auckland, New Zealand last week. The video performed by the groomsmen and guests has gone viral, viewed over 26 million times as of this writing even though it was first posted on Jan. 20.
The haka is a Maori war dance traditionally used on the battlefield to intimidate an enemy.
Haka is a fierce display of a tribe’s unity, strength and pride. The haka includes rhythmic body slapping, making fierce faces and violent foot-stamping to accompany a loud chant.
Today, the haka is often during Maori celebrations and ceremonies to honor guests and enhance the importance of that occasion.
At her wedding, the group performed the tika tonu, which Aaliyah described as "an open-range" haka that often gets taught in high school.
"It's a standard haka that most people know, so it gives people chance to step in and show their respect, whether you are young or old, whether your knowledge of this haka is strong or weak," said Aaliyah. "It's a haka that is able to bring a lot of people together."
Today, the haka is often during Maori celebrations and ceremonies to honor guests and enhance the importance of that occasion.
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She said the haka was a sign of respect from her husband's best man and family not, as some have commented online, an attempt to intimidate him. Watching it gave me chills.
The bride and groom, both Maori, watched as the groomsmen and guests surprise them the heartfelt performance of the traditional dance, before they were so moved that they couldn't help but join in.
"I felt the need to show love and respect back" said Aaliyah. I was really blown away."
"I felt the need to show love and respect back" said Aaliyah. I was really blown away."
Women do not normally perform the haka in Maori culture but she said they can at weddings.
At her wedding, the group performed the tika tonu, which Aaliyah described as "an open-range" haka that often gets taught in high school.
"It's a standard haka that most people know, so it gives people chance to step in and show their respect, whether you are young or old, whether your knowledge of this haka is strong or weak," said Aaliyah. "It's a haka that is able to bring a lot of people together."
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