Deeper Dive: Māori Haka Taps into Deep Emotions

Extreme facial expressions are the first thing many notice when they see a haka performance.

It’s the same thing that people tend to notice with Getty’s sculpture of The Vexed Man, too. Haka is a traditional war dance of the Māori people, indigenous to New Zealand, and is now used in a wide range of ceremonies and sports events. In conversation with Lilit Sadoyan, Māori cultural practitioner and choreographer Amelia Butler explains the symbolic meaning of haka’s elements and how it can allow access to one’s deepest self.

Butler is founder and CEO of Learn Maori Abroad.

If you missed this week’s progressive muscle relaxation exercise inspired by The Vexed Man, look for it on your podcast player or find it on our website.

You can watch this episode on YouTube here: https://gty.art/4wZysOS

Find images, a transcript, and more resources on our website: https://www.getty.edu/podcasts/ommm/deeper-dive-maori-haka-deep-emotions/

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Production team:

Host: Lilit Sadoyan

Producers: Zoe Goldman and Gideon Brower

Video Editor: Jeremy Rhodes

Mixer and Sound Designer: Jaime Roque