The History of Hula Dance Essay by writingsensation
The History of Hula Dance
This paper explores the history of the Hula dance and describes how the Hula maiden, with hips swaying in the breeze, has become a legendary symbol of Hawaii.
# 67892
| 752 words
| 6 sources
| MLA
| 2006
| 
Published
on Jul 23, 2006
in
Ethnic Studies
(North American)
, Dance
(History)
, Art
(Other Mediums)
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Description:
The writer of this paper details the history of the Hula dance and its significance as a ritual of religion, celebration, mourning and communication. This brief, yet concise paper, examines how, in ancient times, dancers were selected for hula training in childhood, spending their formative years under the care of a hula master, separated from the outside world and dedicated to the goddess Laka, patron of the hula. Hawaii's history of births, deaths, loves and battles were expressed in the Hula dance. The writer also details the accompanying music and melodic poetry, to which the dancer's swayed, which include the double-gourd drum, called ipu heke.
From the Paper:
"The history of births, deaths, loves, and battles of the people were preserved in chants and dance. Since Hawaii's history was recorded as dance, "hula dancers were expected to remember and repeat every dance step perfectly and under punishment of death," for "to change the dance was to change history." Hula was the written word for ancient Hawaiians, told through the movements of the dancers' feet, hands, and body movements. Through dance, stories were told, genealogies were kept, and beliefs were shared and imposed, thus to change the steps would be to change the message."Cite this Essay:
APA Format
The History of Hula Dance (2006, July 23)
Retrieved September 26, 2023, from https://www.academon.com/essay/the-history-of-hula-dance-67892/
MLA Format
"The History of Hula Dance" 23 July 2006.
Web. 26 September. 2023. <https://www.academon.com/essay/the-history-of-hula-dance-67892/>