Dad greets son at airport with traditional Māori Haka: 'Not a dry eye in the house'

[sarisataka]

Dad greets son at airport with traditional Māori Haka: ‘Not a dry eye in the house’

This dad performed a traditional Māori Haka—a traditional ceremonial performance—to greet his son at the airport, and it had everyone in the terminal tearing up!

The Māori Haka is a ceremonial dance that involves chanting, foot stamping, and some pretty impressive choreography. While in the past it was often associated with battle preparations, the ceremonial Haka was also performed for a more heartwarming purpose: the welcoming of honored guests.

In a video shared on Reddit, one Māori dad decided to surprise his son at the airport with his very own Haka. After returning from a trip, the son might have been expecting his dad to pick him up, but he almost certainly didn’t anticipate how epic and emotional his dad’s welcome would be! Not only was the son visibly moved by his dad’s performance, but other airport visitors stopped to watch the moving performance and even teared up!

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/dad-greets-son-airport-traditional-170836943.html

[Deuxcents]

1. Thanks for this..I did not know about this culture or even where it is.

I looked up t up and now I know a little more than I did before..I learn so much here on the DU 🙏

[Karadeniz]

8. Usually New Zealand...

[70sEraVet]

2. One of the few cultures in the world, where it is acceptable for a father to greet his son,

with a little tongue action.

[trof]

9. You're shitting me.

Mouth to mouth?
yuck

[70sEraVet]

12. No, didn't you see the father sticking his tongue out at the end of his Haka?

Sticking the tongue out is an integral part of the Haka, I think originally as an insult to your enemies!

[Hekate]

14. I think it connotes ferocity, because there's a whole facial expression that goes with it

Aroha! Welcome home, son!

[Mr. Evil]

3. Now, that's one helluva welcome home!

Great show of love Pops!

[packman]

4. Fathers - gotta love em'

[republianmushroom]

5. LIKE

[iluvtennis]

6. Knr. Who chopped up onions. n/t

[Evolve Dammit]

7. Very touching and I know nothing (sadly) of this cultural tradition. Heartfelt. n/t

[Brother Buzz]

10. I'm wearing my All Blacks fleece warm-up jacket, and I'm smiling

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

16. What wasn't shown is the Irish team all immediately downed a pint and attacked the All Blacks

mugs a-swinging in a historical battle which left the crowds amazed by the abilities and physicality of both teams and will soon become an Olympic event.

[Brother Buzz]

17. Isn't Rugby Sevens already an Olympic event?

[TomSlick]

11. Thanks.

I love the Haka.

There are hundreds of videos on the internet of Hakas - All Black games, New Zealand military ceremonies, weddings, funerals, greeting foreign dignitaries - they're all great. I just wish they had subtitles. I'd really like to know what is being shouted.

The attached wedding Haka is one of my favorites. Watch to the end when the bride and groom respond.

[link:

|

[Deuxcents]

13. I wish I knew what they were saying, too.

They look n act like they’re gonna attack but it must be something loving n affectionate as they are emotional at the end. Fascinating ritual. I’ll go back and look deeper into the information as I’m more curious now

[rickford66]

15. Saw one at CHCH airport once performed by an arriving group.

Also saw the All Blacks when they played Aussie.

[patphil]

18. That guy's got an amazing father.

Yeah, I did tear up.