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1,700 Students Perform A Moving Haka Dance At Their Teacher's Funeral (Video)

by Eitan Levine

This video will give you chills.

Around 1,700 students honored a revered teacher who passed away by presenting a heartfelt version of the haka -- a traditional Māori war dance more recently known for its use before rugby matches.

Dawson Tamatea was a math and physical education teacher at Palmerston North Boys' High School in New Zealand and taught at the school since 1986. He passed away in his sleep last week at the age of 55, Mashable reports.

The hearse brought Tamatea's body through the school parking lot where the students joined together to give an emotional send-off to their teacher.

The video description points out this was a touching and powerful tribute to a loved member of the PNBHS community.

The description reads,

We are extremely proud of our boys' performance and we know that Mr Tamatea would be too.

Citations: Emotional farewell as students perform haka dance at teachers funeral (Mashable)