A dance form incorporating chant or song, hula was developed by the ancient Polynesians who settled the Hawaiian Islands. There are two styles of hula: the kahiko, accompanied by chants (mele) and traditional instruments, free of Western influences; and the auana, accompanied by song and Western musical instruments such as the ukulele and guitar. Every movement in hula has a specific meaning, every expression of a dancer's hands has great significance. Hula was originally performed as a sacred ritual to give thanks to the Hawaiian gods and to honor the Hawaiians' chieftains or provide them with entertainment. The kahiko form of hula encompasses a diverse variety of styles and moods, ranging from solemn to frivolous. It is characterized by traditional costuming and a belief that the meaning of the mele's words were to be taken very seriously. The mele told stories of creation, mythology, royalty and other significant events and beings. They were memorized and passed down generations as the cornerstone of Hawaiian oral history. Traditional hula instruments accompanying the mele included: - 'Ili'ili: water-worn lava stones used as castanets - Ipu: single gourd drum - Ipu heke: double gourd drum - Kala'au: rhythm sticks - Pahu: sharkskin-covered drum - Puniu: small knee drum made of coconut shells & covers of fish skins - Pu'ili: split bamboo sticks - 'Uli'uli: feathered gourd rattles Pa'u, or wrapped skirts, were worn by female hula dancers. Pa'u were made of kapa or barkcloth, and left the breasts bare. Decorations such as necklaces, bracelets and anklets were also worn, as well as flower or feather lei. Malo, or loincloths, were worn by male hula dancers, with the same type of decorations as the females. Modern hula developed from the adaptation of traditional hula elements to Western influences, primarily Christian morality and melodic harmony. Like kahiko, the auana type of hula tells or weaves a story but may include more modern events, with dancers wearing less-revealing costumes and accompanied by heavily Western-influenced music: - Guitars are used as a lead instrument or part of the rhythm section - Steel guitars accent the vocalist - Bass guitars maintain rhythm - 'Ukulele, whether four, six or eight-stringed, maintain rhythm and occasionally take the lead as well Modern hula costumes can include Hawaiian shirts, Hawaiian dresses, short and long pants, skirts, malo, and formal mu'umu'u for women and sashes for men. Hawaiian fabrics of a rainbow of colors and multitude of designs and patterns are used by performers to create unique, coordinated looks for their hula dancers. Today, hula is an artform activity participated in by many in the Hawaiian Islands and abroad, with hundreds of organized hula halau (schools) performing around the world. Contemporary hula festivals include the Merrie Monarch Festival*, a week-long cultural festival and hula competition held in Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii, and the Keiki (Children's) Hula Competition, held in Honolulu, Oahu. Terms often-used in hula: - hula aiha'a: vigorous bent-kneed hula evoking the volcano goddess Pele - hula haole: hula influenced by Western music - kumu hula: hula teacher - oli: chant accompanying hula - noho: hula performed while seated * The Hawaiian performing arts experienced a resurgence during the reign of King David Kalakaua, an advocate of the traditional arts. Often considered the "royal patron" of hula, King Kalakaua was well-traveled and connected, and known as the "Merrie Monarch" for his love of song and dance. His support of the art helped hula evolve, integrating Western forms of music and such instruments as the ukulele, an import from Portugal. The Merry Monarch Festival is held in honor of the King. |