Courtesy of Wikipedia
The All Blacks, the international rugby union team of New Zealand, perform a haka, a Māori traditional dance, immediately prior to international matches. Over the years, they have commonly performed the "Ka Mate" haka. In 2005, the All Blacks performed a new haka, "Kapa O Pango".
The origin of the "Ka Mate" haka dates to 1810 when chief Te Rauparaha of the Ngāti Toa iwi (clan or tribe) was being chased by enemies. In a cunning stratagem, he hid in a food-storage pit under the skirt of a woman. Because this was an unthinkable thing for a chief to do, Te Rauparaha thought he would be safe. He climbed out to find someone standing over him, who, instead of killing Te Rauparaha, turned out to be another chief friendly to Te Rauparaha. In relief Te Rauparaha performed a haka with the words (translated from Māori):
"It is death, it is death: it is life, it is life; this is the man who enabled me to live as I climb up step by step toward sunlight."
These words are still used today. Te Rauparaha's escape from death is commemorated in the haka, which can be interpreted as 'a celebration of life over death'.
The following video is the "Ka Mate" haka performed prior to the New Zealand vs. France match in November of 2004:
The debut of the "Kapa O Pango" haka in 2005:
