Maori Delegation Performs Haka at Medaram Shrine in Historic Event

A Maori kapa haka delegation from Aotearoa, New Zealand, made history by performing the haka at the Medaram Sammakka-Saralamma shrine in Mulugu district. This event marked a significant cultural exchange, coinciding with the 77th Republic Day celebrations in India. The performance highlighted the shared values of resilience, honour, and ancestral pride among indigenous communities, despite the vast geographical distance.

The haka, a traditional Maori ceremonial group performance, consists of rhythmic chants and coordinated movements that express identity and cultural heritage. According to the organisers, this powerful expression is typically showcased during occasions of welcome, farewell, battle, celebration, and protest. It serves as a living embodiment of the Maori spirit.

Joining the Maori performers was Danasari Anasuya Seethakka, the Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Minister and a member of the Koya tribal community. She participated in the dance, receiving enthusiastic applause from the gathered crowd. In her address, Minister Seethakka noted that tribal cultures transcend national boundaries and linguistic barriers. “Tribals across the world live in harmony with forests and nature. Our lifestyles, beliefs, and philosophies reflect a shared worldview,” she remarked, emphasising the universality of indigenous traditions.

Following the cultural performance, the Maori delegation was given an opportunity for darshan of the tribal deities at the shrine. Minister Seethakka took the time to explain the history, mythology, and significance of the Sammakka-Saralamma Jatara, an event that commemorates tribal resistance, ecological reverence, and social justice. In a gesture of mutual respect, she presented the delegation with traditional bangaram (jaggery) offerings, symbolising spiritual reciprocity.

The unprecedented exchange was facilitated by Charu Das, Founder and Director of the CD Foundation. She acknowledged the support of State Tribal Welfare Minister Adluri Laxman Kumar and Tourism and Culture Minister Jupally Krishna Rao, as well as the diplomatic assistance from the High Commission of India in Wellington and the Consulate General of India in Auckland. Das stated that such initiatives aim to promote trade and cultural collaboration with partner countries in association with respective embassies.

Senior officials, including District Collector T. S. Divakara and Superintendent of Police Sudhir R. Kekan, were present at this significant event. The blending of Maori and Koya traditions during the haka performance not only celebrated their unique heritages but also reinforced the importance of preserving indigenous cultures worldwide.