NHS Haka-Cultural Appropriation?
Discussion
NHS staff in Devon filmed themselves ‘attempting to perform a haka’, slammed by Maori cultural adviser as offensive. (News item 23 April)
To some extent I get the idea that making fun of another cultural practice would be impolite at least.
Can someone explain where the lines are on this. Non Maori All Blacks perform it, so a non NZ immigrant who made the team could presumably. But who else?
For example it’s St George’s Day today-are there any examples of English culture being appropriated that one could feel are impolite/offensive?
If a white middle aged English male chose to wear the dress of an African tribe because they genuinely liked it would that be offensive? Almost certainly by someone. Non one seems bothered by non Western cultures adopting the business suit though. Or is that so ubiquitous that it goes beyond one culture? I guess so. So if loads of different backgrounds perform the haka, or whatever, as a joint battle cry against Covid 19, that’s not OK?
Want to understand. Help!
To some extent I get the idea that making fun of another cultural practice would be impolite at least.
Can someone explain where the lines are on this. Non Maori All Blacks perform it, so a non NZ immigrant who made the team could presumably. But who else?
For example it’s St George’s Day today-are there any examples of English culture being appropriated that one could feel are impolite/offensive?
If a white middle aged English male chose to wear the dress of an African tribe because they genuinely liked it would that be offensive? Almost certainly by someone. Non one seems bothered by non Western cultures adopting the business suit though. Or is that so ubiquitous that it goes beyond one culture? I guess so. So if loads of different backgrounds perform the haka, or whatever, as a joint battle cry against Covid 19, that’s not OK?
Want to understand. Help!
Edited by standards on Thursday 23 April 09:38
The haka is an invitation to do battle. Kiwis have no problem with other nations doing a haka, what they do have a problem with is idiots taking the piss. If you want to do a haka, do a haka, learn to do it properly and learn the words. Doing a haka in medical scrubs 'for a laugh' is offensive to Maoris. It's seen as taking the piss in a derogatory way out of Maori culture.
Liken it to the days of the Black and White Minstrel Show or Robertson's Golly.
Liken it to the days of the Black and White Minstrel Show or Robertson's Golly.
Tyre Smoke said:
The haka is an invitation to do battle. Kiwis have no problem with other nations doing a haka, what they do have a problem with is idiots taking the piss.
Perhaps the NHS staff saw themselves as doing battle with COVID-19? Some people will look to be offended about anything. If the NHS staff want to stick their tongues out and do a bit of thigh-slapping, let them do it. If they're worried about cheapening the gesture then i fear that horse may have already bolted as it gets performed before a bunch of blokes chase an egg around a field, which isnt a battle either.Nevertheless, the intention of the nurses wasn't to mock anyone, it's not comparable to the Black and White Minstrels in any way.
Tyre Smoke said:
The haka is an invitation to do battle. Kiwis have no problem with other nations doing a haka, what they do have a problem with is idiots taking the piss. If you want to do a haka, do a haka, learn to do it properly and learn the words. Doing a haka in medical scrubs 'for a laugh' is offensive to Maoris. It's seen as taking the piss in a derogatory way out of Maori culture.
Liken it to the days of the Black and White Minstrel Show or Robertson's Golly.
Yup, they really need to get over themselves then.Liken it to the days of the Black and White Minstrel Show or Robertson's Golly.
Who's have thought warriors were snowflakes
Tyre Smoke said:
The haka is an invitation to do battle. Kiwis have no problem with other nations doing a haka, what they do have a problem with is idiots taking the piss. If you want to do a haka, do a haka, learn to do it properly and learn the words. Doing a haka in medical scrubs 'for a laugh' is offensive to Maoris. It's seen as taking the piss in a derogatory way out of Maori culture.
Liken it to the days of the Black and White Minstrel Show or Robertson's Golly.
That makes sense. Not sure about the last paragraph comparison though.Liken it to the days of the Black and White Minstrel Show or Robertson's Golly.
So the issue is not ‘borrowing’ from another culture as such, rather using what you’ve borrowed in a way that is unacceptable to the originators. Is that the cultural appropriation line?
Edited by standards on Thursday 23 April 10:59
I just went and found the video to see what all the fuss was about.
Absolutely f
king pathetic!!!!
You've got a bunch of NHS staff who are working their arses off and putting themselves in harm's way to help their fellow citizens doing something to boost morale and show that they're still up for the fight, and some tt is going to whine about it???
If the Maori bloke is going to get upset about some nurses borrowing the Haka to make a statement which to my mind is actually bang on what a haka is supposed to be about, then fk me, if he sees this video, he's going to have a bloody heart attack!!!
Absolutely f
king pathetic!!!!You've got a bunch of NHS staff who are working their arses off and putting themselves in harm's way to help their fellow citizens doing something to boost morale and show that they're still up for the fight, and some t
t is going to whine about it??? If the Maori bloke is going to get upset about some nurses borrowing the Haka to make a statement which to my mind is actually bang on what a haka is supposed to be about, then f
k me, if he sees this video, he's going to have a bloody heart attack!!!Tyre Smoke said:
The haka is an invitation to do battle. Kiwis have no problem with other nations doing a haka, what they do have a problem with is idiots taking the piss. If you want to do a haka, do a haka, learn to do it properly and learn the words. Doing a haka in medical scrubs 'for a laugh' is offensive to Maoris. It's seen as taking the piss in a derogatory way out of Maori culture.
.
Some hakas are ‘war dances’. Some are for welcoming guests; some are for celebrations, like weddings; some are for funerals..
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