mardi 21 mai 2013

The Art Of Hawaiian Dancers

By Vicki Diaz


The art that hawaiian dancers carry on today in many parts of our present world is actually what originated in the islands of Hawaii. The Polynesian people brought this language of dance to the islands many centuries ago, and it has formed part of their culture ever since. As the centuries have passed, there have been many changes and additions but the basic idea of telling a story continues to this day.

A verbal story is told using either the older version, which is the Oli, or via a chant, or a newer mele or song is accompanied by dance. The Dance is called the Hula. The Hula accompanies the verbal story by telling the same story with hand gestures and facial expressions with especial emphasis on the eyes. Delivered at welcoming ceremonies and other public celebrations the Hula has become synonymous with the Islands.

Originally, the hula was only found with the Oli or chant and was called the Kahiko. This type was popular before the advent of the western missionaries and explorers. It was delivered with the traditional Island instruments of the drum and stick instruments, and not modern instruments like the guitar. Slowly over time, this method of storytelling and prayer was replaced.

The second type of hula is called the Auana. This term means drifting or to wander away from in the native tongue. This is a more modern version of this hula and has the introduction of western instruments like the double bass, ukulele and guitar. This method of hula is generally accompanied by the song or mele, as opposed to the chant or Oli.

Another newly segregated type of hula is called Ai Kahiko, which means return to the past and has become very popular since the early 1920s. This has continued through to the 21st century when people are popularizing the olds ways including a greater use of the Oli instead of the mele and a greater preponderance the old prayer methods and a movement away from the Christian message.

The last version is called Monarchy and covers the stories and hula from the 19th century. This was the time of massive westernization in the Islands. For this reason, this collection of work has extensive western orientation, and uses mostly the mele or song. It was named after the Island Monarchy who traveled the world at this time and became very well known.

Posture is extremely important in hula for the participants, and most people assume that they only correct posture is standing. This is not the case. There is also a strong tradition of hula being delivered while the participant is sitting down. As the hands and the face deliver the storytelling of the dance, it is easy to see how this method will not prevent proper presentation.

In summary, there are four different types of dances that hawaiian dancers perform. These are the Kahiko, the Ai Kahiko, the Monarchy and the Auana. These can be performed standing up, or sitting down, and with traditional or more western based instruments.




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