MODULE 26: Hula Dance (Hawaii)

I.                    Objectives:

At the end of the lesson, the students are expected to:

                                a. define hula dance;

                                b. demonstrate hula dance; and

                                c. appreciate hula dance.

II.                  Overview:

One of the foreign folkdance evolved in the western countries influenced is the Hula. It originated during the 19^th and 20^th century. This dance was developed in the Hawaiian Islands by Polynesians who originally settled there. It is performed as entertainment for the chiefs who typically traveled from one place to another. This dance is also divided into two divisions: the Hula Kahiko and Hula ‘Auana.

III.                Learning Content:

Hula is a dance form accompanied by chant or song. The chant or song is called mele.

There are many styles of Hula. They are commonly divided into two broad categories:

Ancient Hula, as performed before Western countries with Hawaii, is called Kahiko. It is accompanied by chant and traditional instruments.

Hula, as it evolved under Western influence, in the 19^th and 20^th centuries, is called ‘Auana. It is accompanied by song and Western-influenced musical instruments such as the guitar, the ukulele, and the double bass.

                                Halau- called to the teaching of Hula in schools

                                Kumu Hula- the teacher of Hula

                                (where kumu means “source of knowledge”)

                               

Instruments and Implements

1.       Ipu- single gourd drum

2.       Ipu heke- double guard drum

3.       Pahu- sharkskin covered drum; considered sacred

4.       Puniu- small knee drum made of a coconut shell with fish skin (kala) cover

5.       Ili-ili- water-worn lava stone used as castanets

6.       Uli-uli- feathered gourd rattle

7.       Pu-ili- split bamboo sticks

Costumes:

Pa’u- wrapped skirt, traditional female costume

Malo- loincloth, traditional male costume

Necklaces, bracelets, anklets, and lei

Hula Kahiko

- do not include modern instrumentation (such as guitar, ukulele, etc.) encompassed an enormous variety of styles and moods, from the solemn and sacred to the frivolous.

- performed today by dancing to the historical chants. Many hula kahiko are characterized by traditional costuming, by an austere look, and a reverence for their spiritual roots.

Hula ‘Auana

-          Modern hula arose from adaptation of traditional hula ideas (dance and mele) to Western influences.

-          The primary influences were Christian morality and melodic harmony.

-          Hula ‘Auana still tells or comments on a story, but the stories may included events since the 1800s. The costumes of the women dancers are less revealing and the music is heavily Western-influenced.

-          The mele of Hula ’Auana are generally sung as if they were popular music. A lead voice sings in major scale, with occasional harmony parts.