Created by the Polynesians in Hawaii, hula is an unique movement that is danced by either a song or chant. In the beginning, chants and voices were used as the instruments and the hula would provide the lyrics. In modern times, hula is now accompanied with guitars or ukuleles. This article explains a basic hula.
1Kāholo: Place your hands on your hips or to your side. Bend your knees gently and slightly. Move two steps to the right. Then two steps to the left.Ad
2Kao: Sway your hips from side to side.
3`Ami: Move in a circular motion, as if you are using a hula hoop but without shaking your shoulders.
4Know that the true dance is in the hands, as they tell stories.
- Pua or "Flower" motion: Move as if you are picking a lotus blossom. Put your hands to the side and place your thumb against your index finger, upside down. Then flip your entire hands right side up.
- Ua or "Rain" motion: Put your hands above your hands and slowly bring your arms down, gently moving your fingers.
- Ho`olohe or "Listen": Put one hand behind your ear as if to hear something and extend the other hand outwards.
5Move your hips and feet to the beat of the music. Formal hula can vary from a slow dance to an upbeat and good paced rhythm for fast and "lively" songs.
6Watch an example of hula from this YouTube video. Examine the swiftness in the motions as she dances.Ad
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- Some dances involve the movement of feet on occasion. To do this, lift your heel just slightly off of the ground and in a very fast, swift move.
- Smile and look inviting.
- Do not look directly at the audience. Your eyes should follow your fingertips and draw your onlookers to the story being told by your hands.
- If you are a Disney fan, watch Lilo and Stitch. Lilo (a girl) teaches Stitch (a creature from another planet) how to dance hula and play the ukulele. In the ending song/movie credits, both are seen dancing hula in the Merrie Monarch Festival.
- The Merrie Monarch is an actual hula competition held on the Big Island (island of Hawaii) for a week.
Things You'll Need
- Bare feet (optional, but recommended to get the whole feel)
- Mat (optional)
- Skirt (optional)
- Ipu (gourd used for beating and creating rhythm) (optional)
Recent edits by: Krystle, Edith Tayag, Lutherus
In other languages:
Español: Cómo bailar hula
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