New Zealand reclaimed the world record for the largest collective haka on Sunday after more than 6,000 people performed the legendary Maori war dance, dethroning France.
The record was broken at Eden Park rugby stadium in Auckland, where thousands of men, women and children gathered to perform the traditional indigenous challenge, which involves vigorous movements, kicking and kicking. rhythmic cries.
Judge confirmed 6,531 participants performed haka Ka Matemade famous by the All Blacks rugby team, who perform it just before test matches.
France dethroned
The world record had been held by France since September 2014, when 4,028 people slapped their thighs and sang following a rugby match in Brive-la-Gaillarde, in the south-west of France. Auckland organizers were hoping for up to 10,000 participants, but were still delighted that the record had been taken by New Zealand, where the haka is considered a national treasure.
“We want to bring back the mana [la fierté] haka at home »said Michael Mizrahi, head of the Auckland attempt. Previous attempts involving crowds of more than 5,000 people on New Zealand soil failed because Guinness World Records officials did not approve them, he said.
THE Ka Mate was composed around 1820 by the warrior chief Te Rauparaha to celebrate his escape from a group of warriors from a rival tribe who were pursuing him. According to New Zealand legislation, a Maori tribe, the Ngati Toa, located in Porirua, a suburb of Wellington, is recognized as the cultural guardians of the Ka Mate.