HULA DANCE

Prepared by: Princess Mae V. Rabara

Hula Dancing
• A form of dance developed in the Hawaiian islands,
accompanied by song or chant.
• The movement 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 hula gave birth to the
dance on the island of Molaka’i.
• In the early 1800s, American Protestant missionaries banned the
hula as a heathen dance.
• 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.
TWO MAIN CATEGORIES OF HULA DANCING
HULA KAHIKO
 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.
 KAHIKO INSTRUMENTS
PAHU
 Shark-skin covered
wooden drum, often made
from coconut log or bread
fruitwood and it’s either
played with the fingertips
of the palms of the hand.
 Often used to
accommodate Kahiki 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 fingers and
stamping on the gourd or
on a mat (ku)
KAHIKO COSTUME
HULA AUANA
• 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
AUANA INSTRUMENT AND COSTUME