Although haka is a traditional dance form of the Māori people of New Zealand, the use of a haka by the All Blacks rugby team before matches has made it familiar worldwide, and various haka have been adopted by sports teams outside New Zealand, particularly American football teams in the United States. Though some teams do contain Māori players, frequently haka have been performed by teams with players from other Polynesian groups, indicating that the performance art has become part of a pan-Polynesian sports culture.
The use of haka outside of New Zealand is controversial, as it can be considered culturally insensitive or offensive.[1][2] There is also the matter of lyrical content of a haka possibly being at odds with the clothing, national origins, or other attributes of those performing it (such as a haka referencing New Zealand being performed by Americans, or one incorporating a reference to red or black clothing being performed by a sports team with grey or blue uniforms).[who?]
The Hawaiian war chant, or dance, is called the haʻa. It dates back centuries, and is one of the many Polynesian pre-war dances or chants. The traditional Hawaiian haʻa has been adopted by the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors football in place of the previously used haka.[3]
Prior to this cultural change, the Warriors performed a traditional Haka instead.