by ailiina

Created on: October 23, 2010   Last Updated: October 25, 2010

The Hawaiian Hula: Language of the body.

Despite what most people think, hula doesn't only come from Hawaii and even though the grass skirt is used as a performance outfit it is not the only one that hula dancers wear while they are performing on the stage.  There are many different types of hula. For example, there is Tahitian hula and Chamorro (Guamanian) hula.  Hula is a lot like a country song-it tells a story explaining pieces of that particular culture.  There are so many different aspects of hula; it's not just about a girl shaking her butt on a stage or a big tourist act. It's more than that.  Hula is a way that islanders show respect for their culture.  Hula uses the body as a tool to help amplify the power and meaning of the story or legend.  With hula the movement and direction is mostly in the hands that do the telling of the story, so it can be performed while the dancers are standing or sitting.  There are different types of hula: there is the Ancient section, Contemporary, and the Spaniard era.  

The ancient section is mostly chants about the beginning of the culture- how the ancestors came to their island, and their legends.  The ancient section is the most traditional and most common throughout all of the different cultures who have their own hula styles.  It is this style of hula in which the famous grass skirts and coconut bras are usually used for costumes.

The Spaniard era is used when the island has had some influence within the culture.  For example, due to what happened in Guam's history, their entire culture was altered and a lot of their culture and language was lost.  Costumes during this style are usually mastisas or another type of Spaniard attire. 

Contemporary is used mostly with updated and modern hula.  Costumes for this style of dance are usually simple island print dresses, colorful sarongs, etc.  

Hula is performed throughout the year.  Hula is a beautiful style of dance that is filled with history, culture, and pride.  I have so much fun when I perform hula no matter what culture it is expressing.  

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