Hula Kahiko & Auana: Hawaiian Music & Dance, by Christina Nguyen

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Hula Kahiko Auana Hawaiian Music Dance, by
Christina Nguyen
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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

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History of Hula

• Some legends say that Laka, goddess of the hula,
  gave birth to the dance on the island of
  Molokai.
• In the early 1800s, American Protestant
  missionaries banned the hula as a heathen dance.

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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.

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Hula Kahiko Music Clips, Images

• Kahiko Wahine (Women) Chant
• Kahiko Kane (Men) Chant

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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.

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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

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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
  (pai) and fingers and stamping on the ground or
  on a mat (ku).

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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 Kahikos 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

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Ukulele

• 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

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Popular Hula Implements

• Uli uli feathered gourd rattles. Shaken at the
  wrist in a brisk back forth motion

Puili split bamboo sticks. Sticks are hit
together or against the body (shoulders) to
create sound rhythm.
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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.