Nowadays, Hawaiian hula is becoming very popular in many countries of the world. For example, in Japan, in one of the dance schools, Hula trains 5,000 people. Special literature dedicated to Hula is also published. Japanese doctors confirmed that this dance is good job for people different ages and helps keep you healthy. Hula leads to general relaxation, increases the level of vitality, corrects coordination of movements, and dramatically improves well-being. In Hawaii, the Hula dance has traditionally held - and still holds - a high position in culture, and is part of both the secular side of life and spiritual ceremonies and rituals.

Hula, whose goddess is Laka, is a traditional form of spiritual practice and discipline.
Before the performance, the dancers brought fragrant flowers and sacred plants to the altar of the goddess:
- MAILE symbolized the umbilical cord, which connected the goddess with the dance and the earth;
- LEHUA tree - male, and LEHUA flower - female (laying them on the altar meant the union of male and female aspects in the dance);
- PILI grass, placed on the altar, symbolized the knowledge that comes during the dance, which must be remembered;
- the last to be placed on the altar was the ILIAHI sandalwood, its aroma inspired the dancers.
When all the plants were placed on the altar and the spirits of these plants were invoked, the dancers could take inspiration from the goddess and with her help turn an ordinary ordinary dance into an extraordinary and exciting act.

The hula dance has its own long history and more various forms. Some of them were intended only for aristocrats and priests, as elite rituals and ceremonies performed only in temples and exclusively by men.
Other dances were part of public rituals or performed the function of entertainment. Simultaneously, with the onset of the era of missionaries, Hula experienced a crisis. Most teachers could only teach the dance in secret, and many forms of hula disappeared forever. What remains and step by step began to revive, is not, in fact, THE SAME dance, but contains many elements old tradition. Now there are two kinds of Hula - traditional and modern. Traditional Hula uses traditional steps and tools. Modern hula may borrow steps and instruments from other cultures (such as the guitar), is looser, and is often performed for tourists.

Modern hula is mostly performed by women. However, according to tradition, teachers are mostly men. One of the extraordinary modern representatives Hula masters is kumu - teacher Georg Naope. In accordance with the Hawaiian tradition, he began to study dance and song at the age of 3 - his great-grandmother sent him to study with her close friend. At that time, Hula was still in the “underground”. Little Georg learned to sing every day for 4 hours for 12 years. He studied with the great Hula masters and did not even imagine that he himself would become a master: in 1942, he was the first to openly teach the ancient style of Hula - kahiko. For many years, Naope has worked hard to revive and bring back the Hula tradition. In the 70s, he taught traditional dance to people every day, and in the evenings he played and sang in a small bar on Waikikki. At that time, Hula was not popular and it was not easy to earn money in this way.

One of the main merits of Georg Naope is the Hula festival (held since 1961), which today is a very popular and spectacular cultural event. The name of the festival "Mary Monarch" is associated with the Hawaiian king David Kalakaua, who ruled Hawaii from 1874-1891. Kalākaua believed that Hula was the language and rhythm of the Hawaiian heart. At the beginning, the purpose of the festival was to revive and spread the dance tradition. Today is a contest for different groups and Hula schools from all over the islands.

It is impossible not to remember the great Iolana Luahine, who danced exceptionally and was the best in the performance of Hoole. She is spoken of as a sorceress, mystic, singer and dance genius. During the performance, her whole body changed, and the dance itself was never repeated. It was improvisation, life in Hula. With her dances, she translated the audience into more high level spiritual and aesthetic experience. Iolana opened all the festivals of Mary Monarch and when she sang and danced, IIO birds flew from the volcanoes. Luahine died of cancer in 1976.

One of the representatives of more younger generation Hawaiian teacher Hula is kumu Kawaikapuakalani Hywett - the author and composer of many songs. As a child, older members of his family passed on to him different aspects Hawaiian tradition.

Nowadays, fewer Hawaiians are interested in Hawaiian traditions. And Hawaiian teachers willingly teach Hula to Americans and Japanese.

Kumu Huwet is the teacher of Susan Floyd, a member of a group of hula teachers who are not native Hawaiians. Susan has lived in Hawaii for many years and studied with wonderful masters. She knows the traditions and culture of the Hawaiian Islands so well and dances so beautifully that learning from her will make everyone happy.

The foundations of traditional Hula are rooted in the ancient knowledge of Huna, in which dance was not only entertainment, but also a way of communication, spiritual light and healing.

THERAPEUTIC IMPACT OF THE HULA DANCE

Hula dance not only gives pleasure and relaxation, but also carries out therapeutic work.

The word hula can be translated as "kindling the sacred fire." After a dance session, many people feel an increase in energy and joy of life, relaxation and regain lost balance. In hula, an essential element of therapy is the smooth movement of the hips. The hips symbolically and physically connect the upper and lower parts of the body - the torso and legs. Relaxing the muscles of the hips and healing this part of the body contributes to a better movement of energy from the legs to the body, which increases vitality promotes emotional balance and better "grounding" and at the same time promotes the integration of spiritual and physical aspects person. It is also important to pay attention to the fact that the Hawaiian culture is characterized by the absence of conflict between the physical and the spiritual and is filled with the affirmation of life. The relaxation and healing of the hips, as the basis of the whole body, leads to the construction of a very calm and relaxed basis of the whole personality. Another important integral element in the science of hula dance is the rhythm that harmonizes the psyche. Hula is a polyrhythmic dance. Its execution leads to the restoration of coordination between the upper and lower, as well as the right and left parts of the body. They can move independently, sometimes in different rhythms, but in a coordinated way that balances the cerebral hemispheres and restores full coordination of movements.

Another translation of Hula could be "not getting on" the wrong road by being in the rhythm. Developing better motor coordination, brain synchronization and a sense of rhythm helps a person prepare for life's many situations and become more alert. It becomes easier to save yourself from life's mistakes. Another therapeutic aspect of hula is Hawaiian music, songs and symbolic meaning legends. Music and songs have a calming effect on many people. Listening to these works is already a form music therapy. Hula dance can be danced at any age and without special training.

In Hawaii, hula is very popular and part of the culture. It is natural for Hawaiians that people in their old age dance the hula. Their bodies are vigorous, flexible and full of joy of life, wisdom and energy. The older the dancer, the more valuable he is, since Hula is the language of the heart, and the heart always remains young. The opposite happens in Western culture - the older the dancer, the less people would like to see him dance.

In the case of "advanced" (developed) people, hula can be a form of energy work, spiritual practice, prayer. The hula movements and the words of the Hawaiian song contain the eternal wisdom of both the Hawaiian culture and the esoteric tradition - Huna.

PHOTO Getty Images

1. Stop the internal dialogue

Due to the fact that almost all movements in the dance are illogical, uncoordinated, arms and legs move simultaneously, but at different speeds, left hemisphere does not cope with so many "requests", lack of symmetry and logic. As a result, the work of the right and left hemispheres is harmonized. This process is healing in itself, but in addition, in Hula, every movement matters, every wave of the hand gives birth to a living image. It turns out a kind of meditation in motion - the Hula performer in the dance can talk about the beauty of the island, about the weather, about life on Earth, imitating the sun, sea, mountains, earth, trees, rain, rainbows, birds.

2. Hula - a Polynesian antidepressant

Hawaiian poetry lacks the sadness inherent in our culture, with every song they celebrate life, celebrate the beauty of the island, or tell a happy love story. The dancer's task is to tell it truthfully, even if the mood is not very good, it's winter outside and the sun is gone More than a month! Dancing, it is impossible not to get involved in this game, so classes are fun, and a smile, without which Hula is not Hula, does its job, awakening the brain and body to joyful activity.

It turns out that Hula revitalizes us physically, emotionally and energetically, returns a state of pleasant excitement, gives an aftertaste from the dance. Immersion in light and good stories Hawaiian songs, sometimes reminiscent of a fairy tale, heal, switch attention and charge with joy, love and gratitude for oneself, for others, for nature, for the world.

3. Feeling the flow and developing femininity

All the movements of the hula dance are very natural, they relax, slow down, ground, center and teach balance. By finding balance in movement physically, we also find emotional balance. Being grounded gives you contact with reality, your own impulses, and self-confidence. Centering brings us closer to contact with ourselves, a sense of integrity, we begin to hear ourselves, our feelings and experiences. By teaching our body the smooth and wide movements of the ancient Hawaiian dance, we change the stereotypes of movement, we begin to look at life around us in a new way. At some point, control weakens, the body begins to move by itself in the flow of dance, following the images, beautiful story and soft music.

4. The art of self-expression

In our society, it is not customary to show emotions, we hide them deep inside, and over time, some of them turn into muscle clamps or stiff masks on our faces. Often we are not aware of how we feel. And as in life stressful situations a lot, and many of us do not know how to express emotions and relax, as a result we are in constant physical and emotional stress. It robs us of our strength.

Hula teaches you to understand yourself and express your emotions. “Whatever you feel, manifest,” the Hawaiians say. Playing feelings in the dance, we become softer, lighter and at the same time we are released from the old clamps. Each Hula dance is an expression of feelings through movements, where not the technique of movement is important, but emotions. Hawaiians say: if the dancer tells the story sincerely, then the eyes of the people who watch change - love enters them.

Hawaiian culture is rich in different stories that love to tell locals. The chiefs (kapuna) told their people cautionary tales about the life and traditions of the tribe. With hula, Hawaiian folk dance, also "told" instructive stories. The dance is accompanied by a special song, mele. There are two varieties of hula dance: a style created by the Polynesians is called Kahiko hula (Kahiko Hula), and a newer one, created in the 19th and 20th centuries under the influence Western culture, is called Auana (Auana Hula).

Polynesians sailed to the Hawaiian Islands from the southwest Pacific Ocean on makeshift canoes. They settled on green islands with fertile soil and hula danced their gods. Laka is the patron goddess of the hula dance, but the dance was also reserved for another goddess, Pele. Many generations of dancers went through a long and rigorous course of study.

Hula dance school (halau hula) establishes special rules such as no haircuts or nails trimmed. School graduates took part in the purification ritual and bathed in ocean water. After the ritual, a huge celebration (luau) began, to which all family members were invited along with the graduates. Nowadays, hula dance schools continue to teach the traditional hula dance. And as before, the end of school is accompanied by a feast and dancing.

Origin of the hula dance

Initially, the hula dance was intended to worship the gods. In the old days, the dance was danced on a platform, which also had an altar to the goddess Pele. traditional costume consisted of lei (flower garland-beads), pau (skirt) and leg bracelets made from whale bone or dog teeth. Today, the costumes are more "modest", and dance schools recommend that their students wear long skirts and tops, or a loose dress, and for his students - pants or little.

The dancers could be both men and women, but the singers were necessarily men. The song (mele) told a story, and the dance highlighted some lines with special choreographic movements. The movements of the male dancers were sharper, and the dance of the girls was more fluid.

Hula was also accompanied by playing musical instruments. Music helps dancers and singers keep the rhythm. Traditionally, maracas, bamboo pipes and drums were used in the songs. Initially, drums made from a single gourd (ipu) were used, and later drums made from two gourds (ipu heke). Anklets made from dog teeth were also considered musical instruments. Now also to maintain the rhythm and give depth to the sound, the ukulele (Hawaiian musical instrument), regular and bass guitars are used.

Public condemnation of dance and its revival

With the arrival of missionaries to the islands at the beginning of the 20th century, the role of dance began to change. Protestant missionaries declared the dance to be pagan, and it was soon banned. The missionaries condemned the dance itself, the underdressed dancers, and polytheism (worship of many gods). The missionaries pushed even royal family to the fact that they also stopped practicing dance. From that moment on, the hula dance was performed in secret and passed down from generation to generation.

With the accession to the throne of King David Kalakaua, who highly valued the national Hawaiian art, the hula dance was revived and began to slowly reincarnate. The dance was now called Hula Kui, meaning "old and new", as it mixed ancient dance traditions with more recent interpretations of older styles.

With the start of development tourism business in Hawaii at the beginning of the 20th century, the hula changed again. Usually in films, hula is depicted as the rhythmic swaying of girls to gentle music, which is very different from a real dance. Many beautiful songs have been written for the new "tourist" hula dance, and many beautiful and mesmerizing costumes have been made for sale. The most popular were skirts made of artificial materials, and romantic songs were sung for the entertainment of tourists. Dance schools continue to teach more traditional hula styles danced by older members of local families. The traditional attire is very modest, and the costumes and dance seen in the films are not authentic.

hula dance tonight

There are currently two annual important events in the world of hula dance: the first festival is called the Merrie Monarch Festival, during which female and male teams of dancers compete separately. During this festival, Miss Aloha Hula is chosen. Another event is the competition in traditional dance the hula of King Kamehameha and the singing competition, which is held every June.

The hula dance is an important element of Hawaiian culture, no matter how many variations it has, and you can enjoy the dance as a spectator or participant too.

Everyone wants to visit the Hawaiian Islands at least once. This archipelago is considered one of the most popular and prestigious resorts in the world. But what attracts tourists so much in the usual accumulation of patches of land? As the travelers themselves say, having visited the paradise islands, two things make a special impression on them: the cheerfulness of the local population and their ancient Hula dance - we will talk about it today.

The oldest Hula dance is considered calling card native inhabitants of the Hawaiian Islands. The name of the dance is translated as "kindling inner fire". In the first mentions, the dancers were only men. Now women are also allowed to dance the Hula.

Hula dance styles

The hula dance has big number sub-styles, but the most famous are "Ancient Hula" (kahiko) and " A new style» (auana). The ancient version of Hula is distinguished by the seriousness of the dance performance. They have a more religious connotation.

There are a lot of options for performing this dance: from sacred rituals to dances for major holidays. The "new style" of the Hula dance is accompanied by songs during the performance.

But the most important difference from ancient Hula in musical accompaniment. Many European instruments are used in the "New Style": guitar, double bass, although the traditional "ukulele" is used.

Hawaiian dance training

You can learn Hawaiian art in special schools called hālau. Training takes place under the most stringent conditions.

Discipline is considered one of the conditions for achieving dance mastery by a performer. Hula dancers took their final exam in front of the altar ancient goddess Laka. According to legend, making the slightest mistake during the Hula dance, the performer brought grief upon himself.

Nowadays, the Hula dance delights tourists and native Hawaiians with carefree fun and positive mood, which the dancers give during their performances.

History of Hawaiian hula dance

The Hawaiian hula dance is associated worldwide with Hawaiian culture and has essentially become synonymous with the islands themselves.

According to island legends, the first hula dancers were the gods, who then taught this art to their followers.

The origins of hula - sacred ceremonies

The hula dance was originally developed as part of religious traditions of the Pacific Islands, and in some respects it is historically associated with Asian dances.

The traditional form of hula was originally called "Hula kahiko" and was used to entertain the rulers.

In this dance there were many movements that carried quite certain meaning: starting from the worship of various elements of nature, and to the praise of the fertility of the leader of the tribe. The different steps of the hula dance have different meanings, although most of them have been lost over the centuries.

Hawaiians take the hula process very seriously, because if dancers make mistakes during ceremonial performances, then the expected positive effect of the dance is negated. Not only that, a dance that was performed imperfectly is also considered an omen of bad luck.

Hula suits

Today, hula dancers wear coconut bras, wreaths, and grass skirts to dance. This was the result of the hypocrisy of the first Western travelers, who were shocked by the real Hawaiian costumes. In fact, women danced topless because women's breasts were not considered something shameful.

Also, the hula dancers wore pā "ū skirts, which were everyday wear, not grass skirts. Sometimes they wound several meters of colored matter called tapa around their hips. The only thing that remained common in clothes compared to past costumes was necklaces, bracelets and flower wreaths.The dancers (the hula was usually performed by both men and women) wore loincloths and wreaths of flowers, as did the women.

Interestingly, the wreaths and tapas that were used for the dance were considered imbued with an aura of holiness. Therefore, they were not worn after the dance, but were sacrificed to the goddess Laka.

Religious discontent

In 1820, when American Protestant missionaries saw the dance, they found that the costumes and movements of the dancers aroused sexual feelings in them, despite the supposed sacred and innocent nature of the dance. So they insisted that blasphemy be prohibited.

While the dance was banned in public for some time, it remained an integral part of the culture. King David Kalakaua and Princess Ruth Kilikolani played a very important role in the revival of traditional Hawaiian art and actually preserved the hula.

History of dance

Several legends survive in Hawaiian mythology that tell of the origin of the dance. According to one of them, the hula was created by the Hawaiian goddess Laka on the island of Molokai, near the sacred site of Kaana. According to another story, the hula dance was invented by a hero named Hiiaka, who tried to calm his angry sister, the volcano goddess Pele, with his dance. According to a third legend, the hula was invented by the goddess Pele herself, who was trying to escape her sister Namakaokahai (goddess of the oceans). Finding the island of Hawaii where she was not threatened sea ​​waves, she climbed one of the craters and danced the first hula dance in honor of her victory.

hula kahiko

Hula kahiko.

Kahiko, which generally refers to pre-1893 forms of hula dance that do not use modern musical instruments, includes a wide variety of styles and forms of performance, from the solemn variety to the rather frivolous. A significant part of the khula of that period was invented to praise the traditional leaders, so they were performed either in their honor or for their entertainment. Among the varieties of kahiko, alaapapa (woofer ʻālaʻapapa), haa (woofer haʻa), olapa (woofer ʻolapa) and others are distinguished.

Part of the hula was performed at various religious holidays and ceremonies that took place on the territory of the Hawaiian heiau temples. At the same time, any mistake of the performer during the dance was considered bad sign. Therefore, all Hawaiians who were trained in hula were isolated from the world and placed under the protection of the goddess Laka. The dance school was called halau (gav. hālau), and teachers - kumu (gav. kumu; kumu translates as "source of knowledge").

When performing the dance, the dancers were divided into two groups. The first group, or olapa (woof. olapa), united dancers who made active movements (sometimes accompanied by music); the second group, or hoopaa (wow. hoopaʻa), consisted of performers who sat on the ground or on their knees, played musical instruments and played an active part in singing. At a signal from the kumu, who was sitting in the hoopaa group, poo-puaa (woof. poo-puaʻa), the leader of the olapa group, began singing the mele song, which resembled monotonous reading. Subsequently, Kumu himself joined him, like all dancers. The main motive for the songs were various love stories, as well as appeals to natural forces and nature in general.

The dance was accompanied by the playing of traditional Hawaiian instruments:

• ipu-heke - double Hawaiian drum from a pumpkin;
• pahu - a drum with a shark skin membrane;
• puniu - a small knee drum, which was made from a hard coconut shell, with a fish skin membrane;
• or or - a volcanic stone, undermined by water and used as castanets;
• uliuli;
• puili - bamboo drumsticks;
• kalaau - sticks for beating the rhythm.

When performing the dance, the dancers wore special clothes. Women put on a pau skirt (woof pāʻū), remaining bare-chested. The performers also adorned themselves with numerous bracelets (including anklets), necklaces, as well as Hawaiian decoration lei . Men, on the other hand, wore loincloths, or little (woof. malo), and various decorations.

Currently, a variety of hula kahiko is performed to historical chants.

hula auana

Hula auana.

The modern version of hula is a synthesis of ancient dance forms with Western practices. The most significant influence on the dance was Christian morality, as well as western music. Although the main theme of the awan remains various stories, however, more contemporary events may be chosen as the motive. At the same time, the costumes of the performers became less revealing.

The dance is accompanied by music on such modern instruments How:

• various bass instruments.

Notes

Links

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