Maori say rising popularity of haka dance can obscure origin

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The sight of young men doing the haka dance has become a common occurrence at football games in Utah, but some Maori people think the widespread use can betray the sacred origin of their cultural ritual.
The Salt Lake Tribune reports things like shirt-tearing or using the moves to sell hamburgers and hot dogs can make the dance a caricature of the original.
Scholar Debbie Hippolite-Wright says the dance was created by a Maori warrior chief celebrating his survival after being chased by his enemies.
It’s been performed by athletes since at least the 1970s in Utah, which has a relatively large Pacific Islander population.
Maori Ra Puriri says education about its roots as a symbol of strength and solidarity can ease many cultural concerns.