With the Olympics underway, a post about New Zealand performing the Haka Dance in front of Team USA in the basketball World Cup in 2014 popped up in my feed randomly. As it was the first time those players saw the Haka Dance, they did not know how to react, but respectfully applauded once it was over. American fans also did not understand, based on their mocking comments regarding the dance. Seven years later, the Haka Dance has been increasing in popularity in sporting events and often can be seen in viral videos.
The Haka Dance originates from the Maori people who are Indigenous to New Zealand. With the popularity of the Haka, comes many people who want to copy it for views/popularity which is why The Guardian wrote an editorial piece on why that is inappropriate. In the article, the author raises an interesting point regarding cultural appropriation. When people copy a Haka performance they see on YouTube and make their own video, that is cultural appropriation. However, in Rotorua, a tourist spot in New Zealand, a local tribe called the Te Arawa, performs and teaches a version of their Haka to the tourists who can then go home and try it themselves. This was not seen as cultural appropriation as the Indigenous tribe was in control of what was being shared and the story that accompanied it. I think that this is an important aspect to remember when learning about other cultures and how to be respectful of their traditions.
https://www.givemesport.com/1726646-usa-basketball-remembering-when-nba-stars-were-baffled-by-new-zealands-haka
https://www.theguardian.com/world/commentisfree/2020/jan/23/the-haka-isnt-yours-stop-performing-it