Honour thy Comrade !

whydave

OzCam wrote: »

Hundreds gathered in Christchurch to honour the lives of Corporal Luke Tamatea, 31, Lance Corporal Jacinda Baker, 26, and Private Richard Harris, 21. The trio were killed by a roadside bomb in Bamiyan province a week ago.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xI6TRTBZUMM

From the NZ Army:
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.

Haka --sometimes termed a posture dance could also be described as a chant with actions. There are various forms of haka; some with weapons some without, some have set actions others may be 'free style.' Haka is used by Māori (indigenous people of New Zealand) for a myriad of reasons; to challenge or express defiance or contempt, to demonstrate approval or appreciation, to encourage or to discourage, to acknowledge feats and achievements, to welcome, to farewell, as an expression of pride, happiness or sorrow. There is almost no inappropriate occasion for haka; it is an outward display of inner thoughts and emotions. Within the context of an occasion it is abundantly clear which emotion is being expressed.

From the discussion on militaryphotos:

2/1kiwi said: This Haka is called Kura Takahi Puni, translates as We Are Ready.

Ngati Tumatauenga said: Cpl Luke Tamatea was a sniper of some repute. Having one of 2/1 RNZIR's snipers escort his hearse was another way for them to honour his memory.

gafkiwi said:Growing up most New Zealander's will have some form of Multi cultural education at school, where they will learn different Haka's and waiata's (songs) including "Ka mate" the haka performed by the All Blacks (National rugby team).
An NCO I had (big Maori fella) said, "Its not about being or trying to be "Maori" but means to adopting unified Warrior spirit for soldiers. Tumatauenga is the God of War in Maori mythology, and all soldiers are considered "Ngati Tumatauenga" part of his tribe regardless of race etc. Maori who join maintain their links with their own tribe but also are adopted by "Ngati Tumatauenga". On basic training all soldiers learn the NZ Army Haka. Once posted to their units they learn their unit Haka.
As with some of the other Kiwi's here, knew these guys and one was a good mate. When Luke Tamatea was laid to rest yesterday he recieved 4 Hakas, 1 from his Family when he left the Marae (Tribe home) another from school kids who lined the road as the whole procession passed (20mins long) and one from each the Bn's he served in.

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/502/luketamateat300.jpg/

Full story

Awesome. RIP.

R.I.P.

BigDuffman

Amazing tribute. Primal and raw, knocks the sh!t out of any funeral drill. Makes the hackles stand up. They should show this to would be insurgent children to scare the sh!te out of them.

Also..they breed em big in the islands!!!

eyescreamcone

Wow!
Some sendoff!!!

RIP