The traditional costumes were compromised of leis (flower necklace), a pau (skirt), and ankle bracelets of whalebone or dogteeth. Today, costumes are more modest. Halau Hula schools require long skirts and a top, or a graceful muumuu for women, while men can choose between a wrapped cloth, pants and a malo.
The music is accompanied by instruments. It helps keep the graceful rhythm for the dancers as well as the singers, in which are all males. Gourds, bamboo pipes, sticks, and rattles were used to create music. A single gourd drum called an ipu, was later followed by a double-gourd drum called an ipu heke. In the modern era, the uklele is used to keep rhythm and today, guitars and a bass may also be used to add depth to the sound and enhance the rhythm. |
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