--- title: "This is why the rituals of the tattooed Maori Warriors live on" description: "The Haka dance is performed by sports teams all over New Zealand, but the tradition came from the rituals of the renowned Maori warriors." date: "2022-01-29" modified: "2022-01-29" authors: - name: "Blake Stilwell" job_title: "Editor-In-Chief, Air Force Veteran" link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/blake/" url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/watch/rituals-of-the-tattooed-maori-warriors-live-on/" categories: - "History" --- # This is why the rituals of the tattooed Maori Warriors live on ![]() New Zealand's national rugby team – as well as a lot of other New Zealanders – perform a foot-stomping, tongue lashing, rhythmic battlefield dance before every match. The dance, [called the *Haka*](), is a group war cry dance, originally used by the native Maori people of New Zealand. --- Maoris were [descended from Eastern Polynesians]() who *canoed* all the way from Polynesia to what we now call New Zealand in the 13th century. That's a distance of at least 900 miles. ### A warrior culture soon emerged among the Maori They developed a number of societal traits, namely the *moko* tattoos, which convey information about the wearer's genealogy, tribal affiliations, status, and achievements. But it can be [a pre-battle challenge]() to opponents. *Moko* are drawn by a *Tohunga ta moko –* a Maori tattoo expert – during a process that is considered a sacred ritual. Men wear their *moko* on their faces, buttocks, thighs, and arms and women wear them on the chin and lips. They are also applied with a sort of chisel, which give the Maori tattoo textured into the skin. ![Maori warriors performing a Powhiri haka]() *Maori warriors perform a Powhiri haka, a traditional welcoming ceremony for Airmen who just arrived at Christchurch, New Zealand.* (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Shane A. Cuomo) *Haka*, the aforementioned battlefield dance, is still performed to this day. But it's not just a war dance. It is used to welcome special guests and celebrating an achievement. Women as well as men can take part in the dance. Regardless of who performs it, it's both impressive, intimidating, and beautiful all at the same time. The storied history of the Maori warrior goes well beyond tribal dances and tattoos. Catch the first episode of We Are The Mighty's "Elite Forces" featuring the Maori Warriors. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPmt4tBSFaI&list=PLJYUMn4XmcPl7Sr30SasLQnivapCH3zrN&index=4 ### Watch more Elite Forces on We Are The Mighty's [YouTube channel]()! ## Author Blake Stilwell is We Are The Mighty's Editor-in-Chief, covering military news, entertainment, and history, along with veteran education, employment and entrepreneurship. He is a former U.S. Air Force combat cameraman with degrees in Graphic Design, Television and Film, International Relations, Public Relations, Business Management and Middle Eastern Affairs. After leaving the military, he began working in film and television production in New York and Los Angeles, work that included ABC News, NBC Olympics, and HBO Sports. He then spent two years in Washington with White House Communications, before joining the Near East Foundation. At NEF he served as an International Development Fellow, then Communications Officer, and finally, Media Officer for the Middle East and Africa. Based in the Palestinian Territory, he coordinated strategic communications between eight country offices, international media, and government and NGO partners. He began a career focused on writing and editing in 2015 with We Are The Mighty. He left in 2019 for Military.com, but returned as Editor-in-Chief in 2025. Blake’s work has been seen on CBS News, Fox News, CBC, The Chicago Tribune, Task & Purpose, Military Times, Recoil, Skillset, American History, and was shockingly even used in a Supreme Court argument. He is an avid traveler and small business owner in Ohio, where he spends most of his energy fixing up a very old house. ### Author social links [Facebook]() [Twitter]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()