The Haka: Fear as a Weapon

British soldiers reported freezing in fear not from weapons, but from a dance.

The dance was the haka, performed by the Māori of New Zealand. Long before European

contact, haka were used before battle. They combined chanting, stamping,

and fierce facial expressions. The goal was psychological warfare. In 1769,

British explorer James Cook first documented haka performances. By the 19th century,

British troops faced it during the New Zealand Wars. One famous haka was “Ka Mate,” composed

around 1820 by the Māori chief Te Rauparaha. It celebrated survival after escaping enemies. When performed before

combat, the haka displayed unity and fearlessness. Eyewitness accounts describe warriors