Transcript Hawaiian Hula Past & Present

Hula Kahiko & Auana:
Hawaiian Music & Dance, by Christina Nguyen
What is hula dancing?
• A form of dance
developed in the
Hawaiian islands,
accompanied by song
or chant
• The movements of the
body and hands
translate or reflect the
meaning of the song
• There are two main
categories of hula
dancing: Kahiko and
Auana
History of Hula
• Some legends say that Laka, goddess of the
hula, gave birth to the dance on the island of
Moloka‘i.
• In the early 1800s, American Protestant
missionaries banned the hula as a heathen
dance.
History of Hula, cont.
•In the late 1800s, King
David Kalakaua bought
back the traditional arts
of Hawaii.
•Today, Hawaii holds
annual hula competitions
and festivals to preserve
and celebrate Hawaiian
culture and dance. The
most distinguished is the
Merrie Monarch festival,
held in memory of King
Kalakaua.
Hula Kahiko Music Clips, Images
•Kahiko Wahine (Women)
Chant
•Kahiko Kane (Men)
Chant
• Kahiko is an ancient
hula
• It is often accompanied
by mele (chanting) and
the pahu (traditional
drum)
• Hawaiians used Kahiko
dance to pass down
stories and history
accurately since there
was no written language
– Stories spoke of
powerful figures or
events, mythology
and creation.
Hula Kahiko
Kahiko Instruments
Pahu
• Shark-skin covered wooden
drum, often made from coconut
log or breadfruit wood
• Instrument is either played with
the fingertips of the palms of the
hand
• Drums gives off a deep tone
• Often used to accommodate
Kahiko hula
Ipu
• This hollowed-up single
or double gourd drum
helps in keeping a steady
beat to the hula.
• It is used by slapping the
drum with the hands
(pa’i) and fingers and
stamping on the ground
or on a mat (ku).
Auana Hula
• Modern hula, influenced by Western culture
– Slack key guitar and ukulele are used
rather than the Pahu
– Music followed a more melodic harmony
• In comparison to Kahiko’s more brisk and
fast-paced movements, Auana is slower and
more graceful
• Auana is mainly used for entertainment
• Movements are also used to tell a story
Hula Auana Sound Clips
Hula Auana
Hula Auana: Ka Uluwehi O Ke Kai (Plants of the Sea)
Ukulele
Ukulele sound clip
• Adapted from early European
influences
• Comes from the guitar family with
four strings
• Mainly made from local Hawaiian
wood, Koa
• There are 4 different types of
ukulele: soprano, concert, tenor
and baritone
Popular Hula Implements
‘Uli ‘uli: feathered gourd
rattles. Shaken at the wrist
in a brisk back & forth
motion
Pu’ili: split bamboo sticks.
Sticks are hit together or against
the body (shoulders) to create
sound & rhythm.
Review
• What is the difference between hula Kahiko and
hula Auana?
– In sound?
– In dancing style?
• What is purpose for hula in Hawaiian culture?
• Name the instruments and implements used in hula
Auana and Kahiko.