Hula is a dance form accompanied by chant or song. It was developed in the Hawaiian Islands by the Polynesians who originally settled there. The hula is unique to the Hawaiian Islands
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, and even war.
When Calvinist missionaries arrived in Hawaii from New England, Hula went underground due to the influence of missionaries' to ban the "lewd and lascivious" dance. But later in the century, King David Kalākaua enouraged a return to the tradtional arts, and formed his own troupe, encouraging the dancers to learn the old hula.
At the Hula Preservation Society, you can read about the history of hula, see historic photos, hear chants, and listen to interviews with some elderly Hawaiians who grew up in the early 1900's and share memories of their lives.
Today there are several hundred halau hula (hula schools) and less formal hula groups on all the Hawaiian Islands and even the mainland, teaching hula to thousands of students and keeping the old ways and traditional Hawaiian culture alive.
Recently our elementary school celebrated May Day with each grade performing a Hula.
My thoughts on Hula - you don't have to be a tiny ballerina to perform Hula - actually, having a little meat on your bones is a good thing! We have been to a couple of performances, and I'm impressed by how beautiful and elegant the older (and more traditionally built) women are. They really know how to move.
I'm supposed to get my hula on for Girls Camp. I just don't think I'm up for it. Help!
***Late Breaking News - Sydney will not BEE 2nd VP. But she doesn't seem too sad about it....
18 comments:
Love the pictures of the girls hula-ing. If you make a mistake dancing can you offend anyone?
Heather
It seems like everyone is so easy going, I can't imagine offending anyone by moving my hands the wrong way....but I've heard the competetitions can be extremely serious.
Sei's cousins all hula. Their mom is Samoan and their dad is Hawaiian. So, they attempted to teach me a little. You're right- having hips helps.
Sei's cousins all hula. Their mom is Samoan and their dad is Hawaiian. So, they attempted to teach me a little. You're right- having hips helps.
Glad Sydney's taking the results well. That takes real character.
I took hula lessons as a little girl (the ballet class was full). =)
are you camp director?? good luck! i would much rather do the hula than do some of the things they have us doing at our camp this year.
i love aloha fridays
How fun!! Love the pictures of the girls doing the hula! If you come back to Rapid will you do an Enrichment night and teach us how to Hula?? I'm booking you now. :D
Oh, and sorry for Sydney. That is too bad, maybe she is relieved though since her teacher sorta made her do it against her will.
Give Sydney a hug for me. I ran for secretary in 4th grade at Sonoma Elementary, and did not win. That ended my political ambitions forever...
What great pictures! Maybe we should put in for orders to Hawaii??
I found this floor length vintage Hawaiian dress at the Fruita Thrift. If I ever get invited to a luau, I'm gonna look hot!
Great pictures! The girls look so sweet doing their hulas. Love those dresses too!
Syd, it took me three campaigns to finally win an office in elementary school. It stinks, but it makes the eventual win even sweeter!
Girls camp! Are you just going with Hannah, or are you in charge? Camping in Hawaii with those huge spiders sounds exciting! Maybe you'll run into some Losties while you are roughing it on the island.
I love those pictures, the girls look beautiful.
I'm glad Syd is taking it fine. Ther will always be next year :)
Aloha!
Is Sydney relieved? They both look so cute doing their hula. My MIL tried to get the grandkids to learn the hookie-lau (sp???) at our reunion last year. It didn't go over so well. I love your Aloha Fridays!
Don't you love the way white people are always thinking their way is the best? :) "Lewd and lascivious," indeed. I love watching hula dancers.
i like the pictures. the girls look so cute! love you! p.s. i know what simon and garfunkel really say instead of WAR...
I love hula. And great pics!
Adorable. And I'm glad to hear Sydney is cool with the class's decision. :)
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