By Vania Raebel | October 7, 2019
The Haka War Dance
The Māori Battalion was an infantry military unit called upon by the New Zealand Army to fight against the Axis powers. The battalion fought during the Italian, Greek, and North American campaigns, establishing themselves as formidable opponents during the war.
Doing The Haka
The photo shows soldiers from the battalion doing their haka dance, a ceremonial dance associated with battle preparations. It involves strong movements and menacing facial expressions accompanied by stamping of feet with rhythmic shouting. It is performed by both men and women in Māori culture.
