Everyone honors the dead differently but this tribute to a teacher in New Zealand might be the most awesome tribute to the dead ever.
Palmerston North Boys High School in New Zealand lost an esteemed faculty member this year. Dawson Tamatea, a math and physical education teacher, died at the age of 55. Tamatea was a favorite among students and was described as a “top bloke” by his co-workers at Palmerston.
In this video, the boys are paying tribute to Tamatea at his funeral by performing a haka.
A haka is a traditional Maori group dance, which was originally performed before battles as a way to fire up Maori warriors and intimidate enemies, but are also performed in a variety of other situations, including funerals. Maori still make up roughly 15% of New Zealand’s population, and their cultural symbols have been adopted by New Zealand.
Many schools have created their own hakas; in this case, the Palmerston North Boys High School have devised their own. The translation is as follows:
Be prepared take hold
Reach out
We of Palmerston North Boys’ High School stand steadfast
Within our Domain
Standing firm
Standing proud
Standing with respect
To uphold
To uplift
To uplift
To uphold
The prestige of our school
Our aims are to seek knowledge
And reach our goals and aspirations
Seek the horizon of aspirations
And draw near to it
Those aspirations that are near, take them
And it be known, yes, let it be known
Let your adrenalin abound high above
It is done!!!
Amazing, chilling, inspiring and countless other emotions come bubbling up to the throat while watching that video. Some of those young bros are really putting their heart and soul into the performance. Mr. Tamatea must have been one great bro.
God speed, brother.
[via Ask Men]