Hawaiian Hula
Hula is the soul of Hawaii expressed in motion and chant. Hawaii’s chants help preserve epic tales, myths, history, and philosophy. Although Hawaiians composed and performed chant and mele (songs) alone, hula was never danced without verbal accompaniment. In ancient times, the chant remained the primary focus with the dance adapted to enhance the chant. Fluid gestures added grace to the dance but did not necessarily mirror the chant’s words in a sort of visual sign language. The deeply metaphoric nature of the Hawaiian language leaves ample room for multiple interpretations. Every movement in hula has a specific meaning, and every expression of the dancer’s hands has great significance. The movements of a dancer’s body might represent certain plants, animals, or people.
The term hula refers to movement and gestures. However, hula cannot be performed without the most important component – mele (poetry). Mele are records of cultural information ranging from sacred mele pule (prayers), and mele inoa (name chants), to topical mele ho’oipoipo (love songs), and mele ‘aina (songs praising the land). Allusion is greatly valued in the poetry, and hula gestures do not tell the entire story but rather interpret key aspects of the mele. While hand and arm gestures interpret the text, named foot motifs are executed continuously. Some motifs are kaholo (stepping side to side), ‘uwehe (stepping in place, then lifting and dropping heels), and ‘ami (circular pelvic shifts and tilts).
Older chant-accompanied dances may be performed in a standing or sitting position. In standing dances, performers are divided into ‘olapa, who execute the dance movements, and ho’opa’a, who chant the text and provide the percussive instrumental accompaniment. The most commonly used instruments are the ‘uli’uli (feather-decorated gourd rattle), pu’ili (split bamboo rattle), ‘ili’ili (waterworn stone pebbles, two in each hand, played in a manner similar to castanets), and kala’au (sticks). Although hula began as a form of worship during religious ceremonies, it gradually evolved into a form of entertainment.
