Do you know the difference between the hula that we know today and the more traditional hula that was originally practiced on the islands of Hawaii? In an infographic recently created by the Fairmont Kea Lani and Fairmont Orchid, you can see just how much the hula has changed over the years, from dance wear to music.
Where does hula come from?
Flickr / Dhilung Kirat
Heather Green Another legend states that the volcano goddess, Peele, found a home on the island of Hawaii whilst trying to run away from her sister Namakaokaha’l, the goddess of the oceans, and danced the hula in celebration of her victory.
What does hula symbolize?
Flickr / Envios Meles are songs of worship, sung while dancers perform to express the chant.
Hula is also deeply rooted in the art of storytelling. Specific chants and moves are used to tell the stories of ancestors and to pass on ancient customs.
How has hula changed?
Flickr / Chie Gondo
Flickr / gail Traditional hula (hula kahiko) dancewear includes a pa’u (wrapped skirt) for women and malo (loincloth) for men. Both men and women dancers wear necklaces and bracelets made from plants, shells, and animal teeth.
Flickr / Richard Steih Beginning in the 18th century, Western influence has led to a new style of dance, hula auana. Modern dancers may wear a grass skirt or mu’umu’u (a long, loose gown).
Heather Green Traditional leis were given as offerings and we not to be worn after the completion of the dance.
In modern hula auana, leis are commonly worn after the dance and are given as gifts.
The music has evolved too.
Heather Green
Flickr / christopherhu Uli’uli - small gourd instruments filled with pebbles - are commonly seen in traditional hula dances. Kala’au (rhythm sticks) and Ili’ili (small flat river rocks) are struck together as percussion instruments.
Pixabay Ukulele are commonly used in modern hula auana, as are several other types of guitar and stringed instruments. Drums are used to help maintain rhythm.
Many of the traditional dance steps are used in both hula kahiko and hula auana.
Heather Green In addition to these six base moves, certain hand gestures are used to visually demonstrate different words or scenes. However, these can vary between choreographers and the halau (hula school) where they train. These five gestures below are common amongst many hula styles.
Heather Green
Flickr / Envios Modern hula is typically quicker in tempo, as it is often performed for an audience at a luau. More traditional dances emphasize slower but exact movements.
Hand gestures are important to both styles of dance; however, modern hula auana relies more on hand gestures to demonstrate modern activities that do not have traditional names.
Hawaiian hula is often confused with the traditional dances of other Pacific Islands.
Heather Green
Flickr / Praveen
No matter what style you’re observing, the hula is firmly engrained into the Hawaiian culture and is a must see if you do visit The Aloha State. Mahalo!
Flickr / Dhilung Kirat
Heather Green
Another legend states that the volcano goddess, Peele, found a home on the island of Hawaii whilst trying to run away from her sister Namakaokaha’l, the goddess of the oceans, and danced the hula in celebration of her victory.
Flickr / Envios
Meles are songs of worship, sung while dancers perform to express the chant.
Hula is also deeply rooted in the art of storytelling. Specific chants and moves are used to tell the stories of ancestors and to pass on ancient customs.
Flickr / Chie Gondo
Flickr / gail
Traditional hula (hula kahiko) dancewear includes a pa’u (wrapped skirt) for women and malo (loincloth) for men. Both men and women dancers wear necklaces and bracelets made from plants, shells, and animal teeth.
Flickr / Richard Steih
Beginning in the 18th century, Western influence has led to a new style of dance, hula auana. Modern dancers may wear a grass skirt or mu’umu’u (a long, loose gown).
Traditional leis were given as offerings and we not to be worn after the completion of the dance.
In modern hula auana, leis are commonly worn after the dance and are given as gifts.
Flickr / christopherhu
Uli’uli - small gourd instruments filled with pebbles - are commonly seen in traditional hula dances. Kala’au (rhythm sticks) and Ili’ili (small flat river rocks) are struck together as percussion instruments.
Pixabay
Ukulele are commonly used in modern hula auana, as are several other types of guitar and stringed instruments. Drums are used to help maintain rhythm.
In addition to these six base moves, certain hand gestures are used to visually demonstrate different words or scenes. However, these can vary between choreographers and the halau (hula school) where they train. These five gestures below are common amongst many hula styles.
Modern hula is typically quicker in tempo, as it is often performed for an audience at a luau. More traditional dances emphasize slower but exact movements.
Hand gestures are important to both styles of dance; however, modern hula auana relies more on hand gestures to demonstrate modern activities that do not have traditional names.
Flickr / Praveen
Check Heather Green’s complete Demystifying Hula infographic here.
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