Can Jason Momoa Dance?
As Jason Momoa was a model before he became an actor, many of his fans have been wondering what other talents he has. More specifically, whether Jason Momoa can dance or not.
Jason Momoa can perform a specific dance, the Haka. This dance is a traditional, ceremonial dance performed in Māori culture. As Jason Momoa has roots in New Zealand, he knows how to perform the dance.
Continue reading to find out more about Jason Momoa’s dance ability.
The Haka
Māori people are the indigenous people of New Zealand. Although Jason Momoa was born in Nānākuli, Honolulu, Hawaii, his Hawaiian family has lived both in Hawaii and New Zealand.
Similarly, Momoa identifies as Polynesian, as natives of Hawaii descend from the Polynesian Triangle, an area in the Pacific Ocean made up of Hawaii, Easter Island and New Zealand.
Due to this, Momoa has always felt a strong connection with New Zealand and takes part in the culture.
The Haka dance is traditionally used to welcome people or to challenge a person to a fight. The dance is: “performed by a group, with vigorous movements and stamping of the feet with rhythmically shouted accompaniment.”
Momoa performed this dance at the premiere of his movie Aquaman. It is performed now as a welcome ceremony to welcome important guests which is how Jason Momoa was using it. His kids even participated in the dance.
Momoa is known for being a family man and has been raising his children to know their Polynesian culture. He has said that he created his own haka for his family to perform.
Jason Momoa’s Background
Jason Momoa is not only Polynesian, he has a very mixed background. His father, Joseph Momoa is of Samoan and Hawaiian ancestry. His mother, Coni Lemke, is of German, Irish and Native American descent.
He was born in Hawaii, but moved to the United States when he was only six months old. He did not move back to Hawaii until he graduated from high school.
This means he was raised in and around American culture. Despite this, Momoa still seems tied to his Hawaiian culture and background.
This is interesting as he does have a lot of different cultural influence in his life. But, he says it is his duty as a native Hawaiian to help the culture live on.
The prevalence of Hawaiian culture has been declining since the island became part of the United States in 1959. More Americans have been moving to and settling in Hawaii, so there are less and less natives.
Similarly, the Hawaiian language is dying out. Only 1000 native Hawaiian people can speak the language now. Previously, 400,000 to 800,000 people could speak it.
This is why Jason Momoa is so adamant on teaching his children and society more about Hawaiian and Polynesian culture, to keep it progressing.
Jason Momoa’s Dance Background
Though Jason Momoa was previously a model in Hawaii and worked on television shows like Baywatch, he is now well-known for being an action star.
The role that led Momoa to stardom was his role on television series Game of Thrones in 2011. He played quite a violent character and had many fighting scenes.
He is also in the DC superhero universe as he was in Batman Versus Superman: Dawn of Justice, Justice League and Aquaman. In the films, he plays the superhero Aquaman.
As he is known for his action films and series, particularly as a dangerous character, he has not been in any roles where he has needed to dance.
Thus, it is not public knowledge whether or not Jason Momoa knows any other types of dance. It is likely though, as there are many other traditional dances in Hawaii and Polynesia in general.
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