Array
(
    [_edit_lock] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1708789366:30
        )

    [tdc_dirty_content] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1
        )

    [tdc_icon_fonts] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:0:{}
        )

    [_oembed_cf102505c584a003a6a1b4af30913402] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
Not quite a life time  bragging right for the boys, a day with SBW. Go beat Vaji ! 

Pic courtesy of a mcob. pic.twitter.com/Czhx4K8iJg
— Esham Salam (@lordofkendal) February 22, 2024

        )

    [_oembed_time_cf102505c584a003a6a1b4af30913402] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1708787125
        )

    [_oembed_9119086b3fcbb31c272fe350da09e442] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
We need hakka culture in malay rugby to stop bcs yall arent maoris 🙁 https://t.co/DHnbEUaf1t
— Rizwan 🦔 (@Jessicaisgay_) February 23, 2024

        )

    [_oembed_time_9119086b3fcbb31c272fe350da09e442] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1708787125
        )

    [_oembed_f7929672449d4453be32515a62af0a9d] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
isn’t this appropriating the culture of Maori? wasn’t Haka used to call God for help before going to war? and AFAIK it has religious foundation as its basis.

hmmm also this is cringe af bcs you appropriated other people’s culture like that https://t.co/AYsZoruNQa
— nct 🇲🇾 (@tyongjenmrk) February 23, 2024

        )

    [_oembed_time_f7929672449d4453be32515a62af0a9d] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1708787126
        )

    [_oembed_7619e5abd999299ba02231d3bc879583] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
Yang mengajar the schoolboy team the Haka is Sonny Bill Williams. 

What a fantastic opportunity to learn a wonderful tradition from a former professional rugby player from NEW ZEALAND. 

Dia dalam team menang Rugby World Cup dua kali tau. 

By the way, it’s Haka bukan Hakka! https://t.co/1H8VgWombD
— 🏴Mom of KL™️ 🇲🇾 (@amuse_gueule) February 23, 2024

        )

    [_oembed_time_7619e5abd999299ba02231d3bc879583] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1708787127
        )

    [_oembed_279f3c1737dda413996e36f5ba914e5d] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
Orang yang banyak complain pasal dorang buat haka ni confirm don’t even know that they’re doing it to pay homage to Sonny Bill Williams, legendary former New Zealand rugby player… who is literally standing there watching and encouraging them on
— Zafywafy (@AryZafy) February 23, 2024

        )

    [_oembed_time_279f3c1737dda413996e36f5ba914e5d] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1708787128
        )

    [_thumbnail_id] => Array
        (
            [0] => 171300
        )

    [_edit_last] => Array
        (
            [0] => 30
        )

    [_post_language] => Array
        (
            [0] => English
        )

    [_molongui_author] => Array
        (
            [0] => guest-99398
        )

    [_molongui_main_author] => Array
        (
            [0] => guest-99398
        )

    [td_post_theme_settings] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:1:{s:11:"td_subtitle";s:152:"Following netizens’ response to MCKK student performance welcoming Sonny Bill Williams, Rugby Union honorary secretary highlights meaning of tradition";}
        )

    [_yoast_wpseo_primary_category] => Array
        (
            [0] => 601
        )

    [_yoast_wpseo_metadesc] => Array
        (
            [0] => The Malaysian Rugby Union has expressed support for rugby players in the country embracing the haka tradition, following a viral video showcasing students from the Malay College Kuala Kangsar performing the ritual to welcome former All Blacks star Sonny Bill Williams during his recent visit. 
        )

    [_yoast_wpseo_content_score] => Array
        (
            [0] => 30
        )

    [_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes] => Array
        (
            [0] => 3
        )

    [_yoast_wpseo_wordproof_timestamp] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
        )

    [post_views_count] => Array
        (
            [0] => 256
        )

    [post_views_count_7_day_arr] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:7:{i:0;a:3:{s:4:"date";s:10:"1749455731";s:5:"count";i:1;s:14:"per_hour_count";a:1:{i:7;i:1;}}i:1;a:3:{s:4:"date";s:10:"1749571304";s:5:"count";i:2;s:14:"per_hour_count";a:2:{i:16;i:1;i:22;i:1;}}i:2;a:3:{s:4:"date";s:10:"1749648264";s:5:"count";i:1;s:14:"per_hour_count";a:1:{i:13;i:1;}}i:3;a:2:{s:4:"date";i:0;s:5:"count";i:0;}i:4;a:2:{s:4:"date";i:0;s:5:"count";i:0;}i:5;a:2:{s:4:"date";i:0;s:5:"count";i:0;}i:6;a:2:{s:4:"date";i:0;s:5:"count";i:0;}}
        )

    [post_view_7days_last_day] => Array
        (
            [0] => 2
        )

    [post_views_count_7_day_last_date] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1749648264
        )

    [post_views_count_7_day_total] => Array
        (
            [0] => 4
        )

    [post_views_last_24_hours] => Array
        (
            [0] => 3
        )

    [post_views_last_48_hours] => Array
        (
            [0] => 3
        )

)
Cultural celebration or appropriation? MRU supports embracing haka amid debates | Scoop
MCKK students welcoming Sonny Bill Williams with a haka performance. – Screen grab, February 24, 2024
Sports

Cultural celebration or appropriation? MRU supports embracing haka amid debates

Following netizens’ response to MCKK student performance welcoming Sonny Bill Williams, Rugby Union honorary secretary highlights meaning of tradition

Main Author Image
Sandru Narayanan
Updated
11:09 PM MYT

 

KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Rugby Union (MRU) has expressed support for rugby players in the country embracing the haka tradition, following a viral video showcasing students from the Malay College Kuala Kangsar (MCKK) performing the ritual to welcome former All Blacks star Sonny Bill Williams during his recent visit. 

Williams, a two-time World Cup winner with New Zealand in 2011 and 2015, arrived in Malaysia on Friday to speak at an Islamic educational event, sparking the performance of the haka at MCKK.  

The video received mixed reactions from netizens on social media platform X.  

While some criticised the gesture as cultural appropriation, others viewed it as a respectful homage to 38-year-old Williams and the New Zealand rugby culture from which the haka originates. 

An X user argued that haka is inappropriate for Malaysians to practice. 

“We need to stop the haka culture in Malaysian rugby because we aren’t Maoris,” posted @Jessicaisgay_.

Another user said that performing haka among Malaysians is unacceptable due to different religious beliefs. 

“Isn’t this appropriating Maori culture? Wasn’t the haka used to call God for help before going to war? As far as I know, it has religious foundations,” @tyongjenmrk posted. 

Meanwhile, others defended MCKK, saying that the students performed haka as a sign of respect for the New Zealand rugby icon. 

“What a fantastic opportunity to learn a wonderful tradition from a former professional rugby player from New Zealand,” X user @amuse_gueule commented. 

“People who complain a lot about this don’t even know that they’re doing it to pay homage to Sonny,” @AryZafy said. 

Speaking to Scoop, MRU honorary secretary Fahmy Jalil said that the haka is a widely accepted tradition in rugby communities worldwide.  

He noted its significance in New Zealand rugby, where it serves as a symbol of strength and unity. 

“Haka is something normal and was made famous by New Zealanders in the sport as they usually use it to intimidate their opponents. It’s something that we can witness in their rugby matches, and it’s iconic. 

“Even when I used to play rugby about 24 years ago, I used to perform the tradition as well. Hence, in my opinion, since we are living in a multiracial country, there is no harm in our local rugby players bringing other cultures into their game. 

“Maybe the backlash received by the students could be because the public is not aware of the culture and the normality of the sport. Rugby is a very peaceful sport, and we embrace all cultures with open arms. 

“We at MRU have always been doing our part to promote and create awareness towards the sport throughout the country, but at the end of the day, it’s up to the public to choose to learn from the awareness that we provide,” said Fahmy. 

The haka, originally performed by the Maori people of New Zealand, holds cultural significance beyond its portrayal as a war dance. It is performed to display a tribe’s pride, strength, and unity. 

It also serves various purposes, including celebrations, entertainment, welcomes, and challenges. 

Popularised by the All Blacks rugby team since 1905, the haka remains an iconic aspect of rugby culture, symbolising heritage, pride, and respect for traditions. – February 24, 2024 

Topics

 

◉ Popular

A man with fire in his belly: Jagdeep remembers his father Karpal’s strength in the face of disability

Despite paralysis from a tragic accident, the DAP stalwart remained a fearless fighter—his legacy now upheld by his son

Daim’s lawyers slam police for ‘failing’ to probe PM over Bloomberg’s power abuse claims

Counsel for former finance minister question why news agency and reporters are being probed instead

Pendirian AGC konsisten, RUU GEG tidak berperlembagaan

Jabatan Peguam Negara secara konsisten berpandangan bahawa Rang Undang-Undang Kawalan Produk Merokok Demi Kesihatan Awam 2023 atau RUU Generasi Penamat (GEG) adalah tidak berperlembagaan (unconstitutional).

◉ Related

Copyright Š 2023. All rights reserved.