Araatika! Rise Up: The Must-Watch Doco Asking Why Australia Doesn’t Have its Own Version of the Haka

Araatika! Rise Up: The Must-Watch Doco Asking Why Australia Doesn’t Have its Own Version of the Haka

DYOR Dave

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One of the last remaining spectacles pulling viewers towards international Rugby Union is the awe-inspiring performance of the Haka.

Just about every Pacific nation in both codes of Rugby perform a traditional ritual at the start of every match, which motivates the players, intimidates opponents, and brings a tremendous sense of pride and unity.

No prizes for guessing which is the only prominent nation that doesn’t have a pre-game ritual. It also happens to be the nation with the oldest and most populous indigenous community. Yes, that’s us.

The new documentary Araatika: Rise Up! explores the intrinsic link between the Aboriginal culture, Dance, and Rugby League, as it asks the question: Why do we not perform our own version of the Haka before sporting events?

Available on SBS OnDemand, the film is presented by former elite nut trucker Dean Widders, who at one point recalls an international match where there were more indigenous players for the Kangaroos than there were Maori’s for NZ, yet every Kiwi performed the Haka with intensity and pride.

The Last time the Kangaroos performed a pre-game dance

 

Through conversations with indigenous NRL players, including Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker, the film delves into the origins of the Koori Knockout, the Indigenous All Stars team and their dance rituals, as well as the prominence of indigenous pride within the NRL.

The importance of the Haka to New Zealand sport and culture was used as a foundation to develop a new dance ritual that would eventually be performed before a variety of different mens and women’s Rugby League matches.

While the Haka is predominantly a war dance, Widders consulted with indigenous elders and community leaders to create a dance that inspires unity and pride in aboriginal culture, while promoting the individuality that exists within different indigenous groups.

The teamwork and skills required in Rugby League are said to be similar to those needed for hunting in indigenous traditions, while the movements and collaboration evoke similarities to dance, another important part of Aboriginal culture.

The film culminates with a spine-tingling performance by over 100 indigenous men, women and children on the eve of Australia Day in 2021, featuring Adam Goodes and Stan Grant, among other prominent aboriginals.

With a World Cup scheduled for the end of this year, it would be a monumental occasion for the Kangaroos to debut the pre-game ritual and perform it as one united team.

Not only would it be significant in promoting Aboriginal culture on the world stage and uniting divided Australians, but it also fire up the team, instil fear in the opponents, and put lead in the pencils of Punters and Dribblers across the nation.

 

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