"A very old chant, long antedating Te Rauparaha's period. It goes back several centuries...an ancient song of reunion and felicitation, often chanted at occasions of peace-making and such gatherings as marriage feasts." (Cowan 1935)

This is a journey to manhood. In his first battle, the young man first feels confused, unprotected and hemmed in. But he grows in confidence and becomes fully involved. Then he feels manly pride and togetherness. Who is this man? Hey, it's me!

Pre European Maori often fought naked. "Ka mate, ka ora" was added to this haka to express the extreme passions felt in battle.

I'm jabbering, shaking and naked

This West Coast haka may be compared with Rūaumoko, a battle haka used on the East Coast with with similar imagery.

Two written sources have been found for this haka. James Cowan (1926) mentions that

"Ka mate, ka mate, etc.", is only a portion of a very ancient Maori chant. The original song begins, "Kikiki, kakaka, kikiki, kakaka. Kei waniwania taku aro."

And Tuwharetoa historian Sir John Grace (1959) quotes a slightly garbled version of "Kikiki" in a humorous account of Te Rauparaha's humiliating experience when he revisited the Taupo district.

NEXT - 11. Te Rauparaha's haka