History
Hula is a unique Hawaiian dance that is accompanied by chant or song that tells stories, traditions, and the culture of Hawaii.
Two distinct styles of hula are: The style created by the original Polynesian inhabitations called Kahiko Hula. The newer style, created in the 19th and 20th centuries called the Auana Style. The Polynesians came to the Hawaiian Islands from the Southeast Pacific where they settled on fertile islands and worshipped their gods by dancing hula. Laka is the patron goddess of the hula, and this dance was danced for the benefit of another goddess, known as Pele. Hula was banned in the 1900s after the Protestant missionaries denounced the hula as pagan. But hula did not die then. It was danced in secret and was quietly passed down through families. When King David Kalakaua reigned over Hawaii, Hula dancers were once again welcomed to dance publicly. From then on, Hula dancing has lived on and continues to be a big part of the Hawaiian culture and celebrations. |
|