The groomsmen and guests surprised newylweds Aaliyah and Benjamin Armstrong during their wedding reception by performing haka and the emotions that followed has led it to make the viral Internet rounds.
A traditional war dance of the Māori, the indigenous Polynesian people in New Zealand, haka is also performed for welcoming distinguished guests or to acknowledge great achievements. Organized by the groom's best man and led by his brother, the bride said the haka was a sign of respect from her husband's family. Typically performed by men in the Māori culture, the bride mentioned that women also join in at weddings … and she did. “I wasn't planning on jumping in until one bridesmaid did,” Aaliyah told BBC. “I felt the need to show love and respect back. I was really blown away.
The tradition consists of body-slapping, chants and exaggerated facial expressions, and when placed in a modern day setting celebrating the love between two people, it's hard not to get goosebumps watching it.
