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The Hawaiian tradition of Hula
According to one Hawaiian legend Laka, goddess of the hula, gave birth to the dance on the island of Molokai, at a sacred place in Kaana. After Laka died, her remains were hidden beneath the hill Puu Nana.
Hula is a form of dance accompanied by a chant or song, developed in the Hawaiian islands by the Polynesians who originally settled there.
There are two types - Ancient Hula, as performed before western encounters and known as Kahiko, and Auana, which was developed under western influence.
Hula Kahiko is considered as a religious performance. It is performed today by dancing to the historical chants and is characterised by traditional costume and by a belief that the meaning of the words is to be taken seriously.
Hawaiian history was oral history, without a written language the history was codified in chants. The chants tell the stories of creation, mythology, royalty and other events and people.
The dancers wear a wrapped skirt, with their top half bear. They might also wear decorations such as necklaces, bracelets and anklets in the form of flower lei.
Hula Auana arose from the adaptation of traditional hula ideas to western influences such as Christian morality and melodic harmony.
The songs tend to tell or comment on a story and are sung as if they were popular music with backing instruments.
The costumes are less revealing, women generally wearing skirts or dresses and men, long pants or skirts.
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