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A Maori dance disrespected

To the editor:

The article printed (Nov. 2), “Ego tripping … and falling,” encourages the misguided assessment that a group of hikers doing the haka at a trailhead is the “ultimate show of ego and bravado.” Not only is this a highly problematic choice of action; its description is undoubtedly 100% wrong.

The haka is a dance, a display by Maori on a battlefield, and now by teams and groups with roots of Maori on the international stage to show anything but ego or aggression (as this reporter has stated). A simple two-second Google search would have informed him that the intention of the haka is to show respect, and represents a moment of peace between opponents and/or enemies. The haka is never about ego, never about “being a hero,” never about “hiking angry”; nor is it fueled by aggression of any kind.

It’s unfortunate that this author chose to steal a tradition of camaraderie and respect and spit it out to readers as something he and his fellow relay teammates could call “good ego.”

In the exact same paper edition, there is an article about the Rugby World Cup, that features a team (New Zealand) known around the world for the haka at the start of their matches — not to show anger, but to send respect to their opponents for the battle that will follow. Such inaccuracy and intentional disregard of history, sport and culture in a news outlet is a disgrace.

Baylee Annis

Saranac Lake

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