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December 4, 2007

Hawaiian Dance Party!

When Georgia's entire team spilled out onto the field in Jacksonville, it was called a classless ploy and brilliant strategy. It also drew a rain of yellow hankys, forcing the Dawgs to make the ensuing kickoff from the 8 yard line. But the Dawgs aren't the only team who have been penalized this year for group choreography. In their game against Louisiana Tech, the Hawaii Warriors were penalized 15 yards for unsportsmanlike conduct for their traditional Haka dance. The Haka is performed before each game to challenge the opposition and psych up the Warriors.



My favorite part of that video is Tala Esera's explanation about the throat slash at the end of the Haka. It's not meant to be offensive. It's just like giving someone the finger. It's actually a sign of unity and teamwork. Sure, one finger gets all the glory, but only through teamwork. Four, subservient digits are willing to allow their leader, the middle finger, to get the recognition in the hand signal. But without the sacrifice of the other four and the hand working together as one unit, the gesture wouldn't happen and could never succeed. So remember that when you're getting the finger flashed at you in Tempe, Baton Rouge, or Jacksonville next season. It's about teamwork and sacrifice, not a gesture intended to intimidate or offend.

See also David Ching's piece on the Haka vs. the Soulja Boy. He has a good quote from Thomas Brown about a pregame dance off. "Colt Brennan, you can throw the football, but you just got served."

Quinton

9 comments:

blackertai said...

Sorry man, but a "you just got served" reference is pretty sad. Get with the times.

Anonymous said...

Hmmm, I'm not so sure about the Haka being a traditional Hawai'ian dance. I've played rugby at Middle Tennessee for three years and as far as I know, the New Zealand All Blacks Rugby team was the first to use the Haka, which supposedly was used by aboriginal New Zealand & Australian tribes before a tribe would go to war. I haven't done any sho'nuff research on the subject, but I'm skeptical as to whether or not the Rainbow Warriors have a copyright on the Haka. Plus, pound for pound, I'm pretty sure the All Blacks win. YouTube 'em.

Anonymous said...

Ummm, obviously mightymitzu you didn't watch the video...they explained IN GREAT DETAIL that the dance was taken from the All Blacks rugby team in New Zealand.

Hunker Down said...

Maybe we can get MC Hammer on the sidelines in parachute pants and crank up "U Can't Touch This." That should bring back some memories for June Jones.

The 31st Floor said...

Hunker Down:

That was "2 Legit 2 Quit".

Anonymous said...

Well, I am embrassed.

Anonymous said...

I think we should show 'em we're not scared by letting Knowshon do the Haka in the endzone after his first of many TDs to come. Then let Stafford do the Electric Slide for good measure.

Anonymous said...

Did that first guy have on a falcons t-shirt?

Anonymous said...

The only thing that would make it much better is if CMR met with Jones before the game and showed him where he was going to allow "SUPER K" to do the Haka!!!!!

 
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