A Maori Farewell

On 19 August an IED explosion took the lives of three New Zealand troops in Afghanistan.

Lance Corporal Jacinda Baker, 26, was the first New Zealand female killed in that war and her colleagues who also perished were Richard Harris, 21, and Lance Corporal Luke Tamatea, 31.  Two Kiwi troops were killed there earlier this month.

The New Zealand Defence Force released the above video of hundreds of troops performing a Maori funeral Haka at the Burnham Military Camp near Christchurch.

Haka is used throughout New Zealand by many, not only Māori, to demonstrate their collective thoughts. There is a haka for each of the Services, as well as the Defence Force. Units with the NZ Army have their own haka. This video shows the soldiers of 2/1 RNZIR Battalion performing their Unit haka, powerfully acknowledging the lives and feats of their fallen comrades as they come onto the Unit's parade ground. It is also an emotive farewell for they will leave via the waharoa (the carved entrance way) for the very last time. Source 

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