Spain Captain Ivana Andres Receives Controversial Mockery for Haka Celebration in Women's World Cup
Spain captain Ivana Andres apologizes for her team-mates mocking the traditional haka, a Maori war dance, ahead of the Women's World Cup She expresses regret to the Rangitane O Manawatu tribe and elders for the disrespectful video, which has since been removed
Spain captain Ivana Andres has issued an apology to the Maori people of New Zealand after a video surfaced on social media showing four members of the Spanish Women's World Cup squad mocking the traditional haka. The video was taken down promptly following criticism from Maori culture and protocol experts, who deemed it disrespectful.
Andres conveyed a sincere apology on Monday to the esteemed elders and community members of the Rangitane O Manawatu iwi (tribe) during a powhiri (traditional welcome) ceremony in Palmerston North, a city located in the North Island. As a gesture of goodwill, she bestowed a Spain shirt emblazoned with the Maori name for Palmerston North, Papaioea, to the tribal elders.
During the hour-long greeting ceremony, the centre-back of Real Madrid spoke in Spanish. Her statements were then translated into English.
"We have only been in Aotearoa New Zealand for a few days and there is so much for us to discover about your culture," Andres expressed. "Therefore, we are truly grateful for your generosity in sharing your wisdom with us, especially during this significant occasion of Matariki."
Image:
Players from the Spain and Netherlands women's football teams were caught on camera mocking the Maori haka, a traditional performance by New Zealand's Football Ferns in 2011. In New Zealand, Matariki, the Maori New Year, is observed as a national holiday.
"Andres expressed his desire for Matariki to serve as a means of rejuvenating our enthusiasm and fostering personal growth, promoting the values of joy, sharing, and the pursuit of new goals. Additionally, he highlighted the significance of acknowledging our errors and striving for daily improvement. In recognition of the esteemed Maori concept of mana, we would like to honor this by presenting you with a jersey from our team."
Andres expressed that the jersey symbolized our essence, our dedication, and our passion. He emphasized that the shirt epitomized all that we strive for, encompassing our efforts, our triumphs, and our profound gratitude for the opportunity to compete in this tournament on your soil.
Professor Meihana Durie, the spokesperson for the Iwi, expressed appreciation for Spain's apology. He stated that their apology felt genuine and they showed an understanding of the haka's significance, not just to the Maori people but to the entire Aotearoa community. Professor Durie also mentioned that the outcome of the powhiri was highly satisfactory.
Spain will play its opening match of the World Cup against Costa Rica in Wellington on Friday.
Image:
New Zealand's All Blacks perform a haka ahead of a rugby championship match against Argentina in July
What is a haka?
According to the New Zealand tourism website, a haka is a "ceremonial Maori war dance or challenge". Typically performed in a collective setting, it symbolizes a tribe's sense of pride, resilience, and solidarity.The performance involves vigorous foot stomping, the thrusting out of tongues, and rhythmic body slaps, all while accompanied by a powerful chant. The lyrical content of a haka often poetically recounts the ancestral heritage and significant events in the tribe's past.
Haka in sport
The pre-game ritual of the New Zealand rugby team involves a captivating performance of the 'Ka Mate' haka, leaving a lasting impression on their opponents.The renowned Black Ferns, the women's rugby team of New Zealand, have gained fame for their powerful rendition of the 'Ko Uhia Mai' haka, which translates to 'Let it be known'. This invigorating haka was composed by the talented Whetu Tipiwai.
World Cup fixtures and schedule
All times UK BSTJuly 20
Group A: New Zealand vs Norway (8am)Group B: Australia vs Republic of Ireland (11am)
July 21
Group B: Nigeria vs Canada (3.30am)Group A: Philippines vs Switzlerland (6am)Group C: Spain vs Costa Rica (8.30am)
July 22
Group E: USA vs Vietnam (2am)Group C: Zambia vs Japan (8am)Group D: England vs Haiti (10.30am)Group D: Denmark vs China (1pm)
July 23
Group G: Sweden vs South Africa (6am)Group E: Netherlands vs Portugal (8.30am)Group F: France vs Jamaica (11am)
July 24
Group G: Italy vs Argentina (7am)Group H: Germany vs Morocco (9.30am)Group F: Brazil vs Panama (12pm)
July 25
Group H: Colombia vs South Korea (3am)Group A: New Zealand vs Philippines (6.30am)Group A: Switzerland vs Norway (9am)
July 26
Group C: Japan vs Costa Rica (6am)Group C: Spain vs Zambia (8.30am)Group B: Canada vs Republic of Ireland (1pm)
July 27
Group E: USA vs Netherlands (2am)Group E: Portugal vs Vietnam (8.30am)Group B: Australia vs Nigeria (11am)
July 28
Group G: Argentina vs South Africa (1am)Group D: England vs Denmark (9.30am)Group D: China vs Haiti (12pm)
July 29
Group G: Sweden vs Italy (8.30am)Group F: France vs Brazil (11am)Group F: Panama vs Jamaica (1.30pm)
July 30
Group H: South Korea vs Morocco (5.30am)Group H: Germany vs Colombia (10.30am)Group A: Norway vs Philippines (8am)Group A: Switzerland vs New Zealand (8am)
July 31
Group C: Japan vs Spain (8am)Group C: Costa Rica vs Zambia (8am)Group B: Republic of Ireland vs Nigeria (11am)Group B: Canada vs Australia (11am)
August 1
Group E: Vietnam vs Netherlands (8am)Group E: Portugal vs USA (8am)Group D: China vs England (12pm)Group D: Haiti vs Denmark (12pm)
August 2
Group G: Argentina vs Sweden (8am)Group G: South Africa vs Italy (8am)Group F: Panama vs France (11am)Group F: Jamaica vs Brazil (11am)
August 3
Group H: Morocco vs Colombia (11am)Group H: South Korea vs Germany (11am)
Round of 16
August 5Group A winner vs Group C runner-up (5am)Group C winner vs Group A runner-up (8am)
August 6
Group E winner vs Group G runner-up (3am)Group G winner vs Group E runner-up (10am)
August 7
Group B winner vs Group D runner-up (11.30am)Group D winner vs Group B runner-up (8.30am)
August 8
Group H winner vs Group F runner-up (9am)Group F winner vs Group H runner-up (12pm)
Quarter-finals
August 11QF1: Group A winner/Group C runner-up vs Group E winner/Group G runner-up (2am)QF2: Group C winner/Group A runner-up vs Group G winner/Group E runner-up (8.30am)
August 12
QF3: Group B winner/Group D runner-up vs Group F winner/Group H runner-up (8am)QF4: Group D winner/Group B runner-up vs Group H winner/Group F runner-up (11.30am)
Semi-finals
August 15SF1: Winner of Quarter Final 1 vs Winner of Quarter Final 2 (8am)
August 16
SF2: Winner of Quarter Final 3 vs Winner of Quarter Final 4 (11am)
Third Place Match
August 19Loser of Semi-final 1 vs Loser of Semi-final 2 (9am)
Final
August 20Winner of Semi-final 1 vs Winner of Semi-final 2 (11am)
