Ka Mate

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Te Rauparaha, Ngāti Toa chief, 1840s

This article is about a haka in its traditional context. For other uses, including use in sport and popular culture, see Haka (disambiguation).

"Ka Mate" is a Māori haka attributed to Te Rauparaha, war leader of the Ngāti Toa tribe, and originated on the island of Aotearoa, known today as New Zealand. The haka is an action chant, often described as a "war dance", but more a chant with hand gestures and foot stamping, originally performed by warriors before a battle, proclaiming their strength and prowess and generally verbally challenging the opposition. These days it is always ceremonial, except perhaps for its possible use in the New Zealand armed forces at a time of war. The "Ka Mate" haka is about the cunning ruse a Māori chief used to outwit his enemies, and may be interpreted as 'as a celebration of the triumph of life over death' (Pōmare 2006).

"Ka Mate" has traditionally been performed by the All Blacks, New Zealand's international rugby union team, immediately prior to test (international) matches. Since 2005 the All Blacks have occasionally performed a different haka, "Kapa o Pango". Because of its use by the All Blacks, "Ka Mate" is the most widely known haka in New Zealand and elsewhere.

In Maori	English translation
Ka mate, ka mate! Ka ora! ka ora! Ka mate! Ka mate! Ka ora! Ka ora! Tēnei te tangata pūhuruhuru Nāna nei i tiki mai whakawhiti te rā A upa ... ne! ka upa ... ne! A upane kaupane whiti te ra!	’Tis death! ‘tis death! (or: I may die) ’Tis life! ‘tis life! (or: I may live) ’Tis death! ‘tis death! ’Tis life! ‘tis life! This the hairy man that stands here... …who brought the sun and caused it to shine A step upward, another step upward! A step upward, another... the Sun shines!