The Art of Hula
It would not be inaccurate to say that when one thinks of Hawai’i, one of the firsts image that comes to mind is that of Hula dancers - Bronze-skinned youths swaying their grass-skirted hips to the hypnotic sound of the ukelele and other exotic instruments; however, the roots and meaning of Hula reach far beyond this Westernized image. Hula is rich, mysterious and interesting. For example, it is surprising to many to discover that the ukelele was actually borrowed from the Portuguese and not introduced into the Hula until after 1874, around the same time that the grass skirt was first seen in Hula. Such surprising facts are found everywhere in the history of Hula.
Join us in an exciting ride through the history, background, tradition and modern practice of the Hula.
Ancient Hula
There are many misconceptions when it comes to Hula. Many think that Hula is simply a form of entertainment - this isn’t entirely true. Though we cannot deny that Hula is a beautiful spectacle to watch, its meaning runs much deeper than simple pleasure. It is a way of honoring the deities. It is also a popular belief that the most important part of the Hula is the hand movement. This, again, is not entirely true. The heart of the Hula lies in the chants; it is in them that we learn of deities and their celestial doings. The dance, costume and instruments are accompaniments to the words being chanted, the mele and oli. The oli is less formal and shorter than then mele.
Though the origins of hula remain a mystery, many believe that it originated in India. One thing, at least, is clear: the origin of Hula is a religious one. The purpose of the Hula is to tell the stories of the gods as a way of honoring them. Every step of a true Hula ritual is accompanied by a prayer or chant. From the gathering of the materials to make the Kuahu, or altar, to the making of the clothes for the dance, every aspect of a Hula performance is meant to have a religious meaning. In contrast to other Hawaiian religious customs, the Hula was a joyous occasion, filled with music and dance. The offerings were not human sacrifices and pain, they were light-hearted tokens of devotion and happiness.
In ancient Hawaiian times, the place where the Hula performance was to take place was called a Halau. Every care was taken in the preparation of the Halau. It became a temple for the honored god, not just a simple stage where a performance is to take place. Ultimate care was taken in choosing the site of the Halau. It was then purified by sprinkling sea water mixed with red earth or turmeric.
The presence of the honored deity could be seen in the Kuahu, or altar. The altar was constructed with elements of nature such as sticks and leaves. The construction of the Kuahu also had its own chants and prayers that needed to be said in order to consecrate the altar. All of this ceremony and special care did not mean that the preparation for the Hula was oppressive and solemn. In fact, it was filled with joy and celebration.
The Deities
Lono Statue
Though many deities are honored in Hula chants, the Goddess Laka is considered the patron of the Hula. It was to her that special sacrifices and prayers were offered. The presence of the goddess was symbolized by an uncarved block of wood from the sacred lama tree. This block was then wrapped in a robe, scented and placed upon the altar. Laka was hailed as the “sister, wife, of god Lono.” Lono was the god that the Hawaiians mistook the famous explorer Captain Cook for. Other gods honored by the Hula are Kane, Ku, Kanaloa and Pele.
The Instruments
The mele and oli of the Hula are accompanied by a great variety of instruments. These are but a few of the many Hula instruments:
Pahu -
The most important instrument in traditional Hula, is from a hollowed breadfruit or coconut tree, a drumhead made of
sharkskin, preferably the right side. It
is struck with the hand, not a stick, to produce its sound.
Uli-Uli - A type of rattle, made by attaching a handle to a coconut shell that is filled with seeds. The handle is decorated with colorful feathers.
Puniu - A small knee drum made from a sectioned coconut shell covered with a fish skin.
Ipu - A
drum-like instrument made by placing two pear-shaped gourds on top of each other
in order to form a hollow, “figure 8” chamber.
Ka `eke `eke - Bamboo pipes held vertically and stamped on the ground or on a mat.
Obviously, all of the Hula instruments were made using the products of nature.
Hula Costume
Traditional Hula costume
Staying true to the ceremonial nature of the Hula, when the time comes for the dancers to dress, the putting on of every article is accompanied by a special song. The Hula costume was very much the same for both sexes. First the dancers put on the Ku-pe’e, anklets of whale teeth, shells, and many other trinkets that made noise. Then the dancers put on their skirt, the pa-u, which was the main article of clothing. The pa-u could be made of anything from a fringe of vegetable fibers to elaborate tapa, a fabric of the finest specimen. In its most elaborate form, the pa-u of a female dancer consisted of a strip of fine tapa several yards long, wrapped elaborately around the dancer, and reaching to her knees. The tapa was often tinted or printed. The pa-u the men wore was less elaborate. Other skirts are the pâ`ű heihei, made with leaves or ferns, the pâ`ű hula, or hula skirt and the pâ`ű lâ`î, the ti-leaf skirt. Of course, there was also the lei, which could be worn either on the head or around the neck.
The Hula Silenced
When the Christian missionaries arrived in the Polynesian islands at the beginning of the 19th century, they were greeted by scantily clad women dancing to the sound of drums. This did not go along very well with their oppressed and sanctified ways. They saw the Hula as a show of hedonism, paganism and lack of morality. The christianized monarchy was forced to pronounce the tradition illegal. Thankfully, it managed to survive through underground movements.
The
Merry Monarch
The Hula did not make a full return until King David Kalakaua took the throne in 1874. King Kalakaua, nicknamed “The Merry Monarch” supported the Hula and his support helped the tradition flourish once again. It was also at that time that some changes took place in the Hula, such as the use of the ukelele as an instrument and of the ti leaf skirt as part of the costume.
Hula Pride
The Hula is a primordial aspect of Hawaiian culture. It has managed to survive through colonization, persecution, new monarchies, and modernization. Hawaiians have fought tenaciously to preserve this important part of their past. Although Hula has changed through the ages, its chants and spirit have remained, allowing the whole world to enjoy the beauty of this rite.
Hula on the Web
1.
http://www.geocities.com/~olelo/hula.html
A wonderful site, filled with useful information.
2.
http://www.aloha-hawaii.com/hawaii_magazine/hula/index.shtml
Cleverly designed and very informative.
3.
http://www.hawaiian-flowers.com/postcards/hical2.htm
Breathtaking images of Hula dancers.
Books for Hula Enthusiasts
Emerson, Nathaniel B. Unwritten Literature of Hawaii: The Sacred Songs of the Hula. Tokyo: Charles E. Tuttle Company, Inc., 1974.
Andersen, Johannes C. Myths and Legends of the Polynesians. New York: Dover Publications, Inc., 1928
Maui Tropical Disc - Hawaii's Largest Selection of the best Hawaiian Music . . . Online.
Walter's Sound and Karaoke Shop
Kanilau
(a Hawaiian musical group specializing in the art of Hawaiian music
and
hula)