Story: Traditional Māori songs – waiata tawhito

Haka at Ōhinemutu

This lithograph of a haka at Ōhinemutu on the shores of Lake Rotorua was printed in 1847. The naked warriors are brandishing canoe paddles, and the canoes are tied to stakes at the edge of the lake. The palisades and buildings of Ōhinemutu are seen in the background. Haka such as this were performed to highly rhythmic chants, to exhort the warriors to supreme efforts. 

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library
Reference: PUBL-0014-53
Hand-coloured lithograph by George French Angas

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Rawinia Higgins and Arini Loader, 'Traditional Māori songs – waiata tawhito - Haka', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/zoomify/44227/haka-at-ohinemutu (accessed 25 April 2024)

Story by Rawinia Higgins and Arini Loader, published 22 Oct 2014