Screengrab taken from video posted on Facebook by I'm Proud to be Tongan
A goosebump-inducing traditional haka - the Maori ceremonial war dance - at a couple's wedding in New Zealand has been watched over 16 million times since it was posted on Facebook on January 21.
The video shows newlyweds Ben and Aaliyah Armstrong's family performing the haka after the couple exchanged vows. According to BBC, the haka was performed as a sign of respect and was led by Ben's best man and his older brother.
Footage captured shows the performers making the traditional hand gestures accompanied by rhythmic chants, as the emotional newlyweds look on. Moments later, both the groom and bride, who dissolves into tears midway, join in the dance with great fervor.
"I wasn't planning on jumping in until one bridesmaid did. I felt the need to show love and respect back," Aaliyah Armstrong told BBC. "I was really blown away."
Thousands of people have described the performance as both powerful and emotional in the comments.
Watch the special performance below:
The video shows newlyweds Ben and Aaliyah Armstrong's family performing the haka after the couple exchanged vows. According to BBC, the haka was performed as a sign of respect and was led by Ben's best man and his older brother.
Footage captured shows the performers making the traditional hand gestures accompanied by rhythmic chants, as the emotional newlyweds look on. Moments later, both the groom and bride, who dissolves into tears midway, join in the dance with great fervor.
"I wasn't planning on jumping in until one bridesmaid did. I felt the need to show love and respect back," Aaliyah Armstrong told BBC. "I was really blown away."
Thousands of people have described the performance as both powerful and emotional in the comments.
Watch the special performance below:
Awesome HAKA at a wedding reception. #ProudPolynesiansClick on link for a better understaniding of the New Zealand Maori Haka: http://www.folksong.org.nz/tika_tonu/
Posted by I'm Proud to be Tongan on Wednesday, 20 January 2016
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