In recent memory, four national rugby union sides have regularly performed a traditional war dance before their matches. For a sort period starting this past November, though, that number was cut to three when the Flying Fijians ended their 70-year-old practice of performing their cibi (pronounced like “thimbi”) before matches. The tradition was ended on the grounds that it was an outdated reference to Fiji’s pre-Christian past.
Although some players had opted not to perform the cibi even before its removal from the team’s pre-match events, the decision to scrap it was controversial and the dance has now been reinstated.
Controversy surrounding the few teams who perform war dances before matches has been around for decades, though more often due to concern surrounding its effects on fair match play than the issues surrounding Fiji’s cibi last year. Despite Fiji’s temporary removal of their dance, most of the dances probably won’t be going anywhere any time soon, especially given the popularity of the New Zealand All Blacks’ haka dance.
How do you feel about the appropriateness of the dances performed by New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga? To help us dance in the New Year, have a look below and judge for yourself:
Fiji’s Cibi:
New Zealand’s Haka:
Samoa’s Siva Tau:
Tonga’s Sipi Tau:
And a video with Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga all together:
