For most of us, the Haka is something that the All Blacks do before a rugby test, and not much more. In reality though, hakas are performed throughout New Zealand, not only by the Maori people. This moving, farewell haka performed by a passionate military unit captures the emotional weight of the war cry, and has captivated thousands of viewers around the world.

The above video shows the 2nd and 1st Battalion Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment performing the tribute, on Saturday, for Corporal Luke Tamatea, 31, Lance Corporal Jacinda Baker, 26, and Private Richard Harris, 21, at their funeral service at the Burnham Military Camp in Christchurch. The three soldiers died in Afghanistan in August last year when a roadside bomb destroyed their Humvee.

“Our military is a small organisation and people tend to all know each other,” said Army spokesman Major John Gordon.

He also said that the haka was their “outpouring of emotion”.

Many soldiers don’t tend to show their emotions. But today, you saw their collective grief. Their personal grieving will come later.

The clip was uploaded to YouTube on Saturday and has already garnered over 200 000 hits.

[Source: NZHerald, YouTube]