Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1884-12-14
A GLIMPSE OF TEE HULA DANCE.
An Almost Obsolete Custom among the
Sandwich Islanders.
II,,s1s piI, Lt1rn1f

An Almost Obsolete Custom among the
Sandwich Islanders.
EansaS City lcarn0L
THE hula-huIa, or native dance efthe Sand
wich islanders, is one Of the most singular
and fascinating exhibitions Of the poetry oil
motion to be seen among any OF the bar
barrie or semicivilized nations Of the earth.
In these latter days one very rarely sees a
perfect perform snce Of the ancient hula
hula. The influence Of the missionaries
and Of the really religious OF the natives, has
always been strongly exercised against its
perpetuation, both on account of its connec.
lion with the old days of idolatrous worship
and because they think some portions of the
performance unseen y and even lewd.
few famous dancers still remain, but
public exhibition is never given. AT rare
intervals a private hula.hula is gotten up
and few favored foreigners are invited to
witness the performance.
was invited by native chief, whose &C
uuuintance had formed, to 20 with him to
sec II real hula hula, genuine dance Of the
good old time. eagerly accepted his Kind
ncfs ard at o'clock one beautiful evening
We started for the rendezvous II was
delicious night. The clear moon shone
brightly over the algerjpa and tarnarind
trees, which Sept their featherly branches
down e...aore the broad leaves OF the ban
..ena and cleaned again on the dark green
foliage of the crimson lowered blblcus'
There was just enough breeze from the sea
70 sir the lightly scented air, and to bend
50 great ben blossoms Of the trumpet
plal Is which bordered our pat and which
led 20 native house. grass tha.ched ah1
with walls of slender cane work. Arrived
there. we entered large room, on the floor
of which number of native spectators lay
stretched on soft mats. Room was made
for Us and we had hardly taken our seats be
fore curtain, which was stretched at the
far nd of the room, WIS drawn, aud the en-
eris inmcnt commenced First, the mus
cisps entered and sal down on one end OF
he tIage, which was simply large thick
mat. OH three sides Of which recined the
-pec. o,ors The music consisted Of six
hruu s-three large and three small The
large res were enormous calabaches, tue
head of which we're covered with tightly
dray skin; the small ones We're cocoanut
hell. covered in the came manner.
Tic Leaders sprightly dame Of 10 sum
ner.--was @ vCryinpOrtart parsonage, rs
it WIS her business to direct the performance
by Ito expression Of her face and the action
OF Ter hands Suddenly strange chant
was raised, accompanied by a beating OF the
drums, in perfect time. This gradually
died away, aud two more musicians appear
cd, holding long sticks, from which they
elected clear notes by striking them with
shorter onss these took their places behind
the rest of the orchestra, and
TAfter them, all dancing in a row.
ri rOmely virgins came with sarland' bright,
All fresh n flowers.
The girls, iantastically dressed, with
scars bound round their waists and crow
ned with garlands of flowers and With
vrealhs of cardenias around their waists and
ankles, made their way with slow and grace
fol movements to the edge Of the stage, on
which they sank Just as the music ceased.
Some OF these girls were beautiful, and had
softly moulded limbs and figures ofextreme
grace. Ats tap Of the drum they raised
themsclvest, their knees and commenced q
wild song to which they at first beat time
with clapp VI tue uaHuS' 'ioay
his changed 10 most expressive panto-
mine. The ST tks and drums took up the
ueasurs-srns hands. aud even fingers
spose a torren. of words with precision
hat the best drilled ballet troupe could
never attain. The body swayed backward
and forward. the slightest motion to the
nigh. or left by one being repeated by all;
sometimes sEskelike and repulsive anon
seductive and pleasing. until finally wild
tossing of the arms. followed by a low wall.
proclaimed the end Of the stUy, 10 the evil
dent discontinue Of the maiden and the
triumph Of the lover.
After a pause the music and singing be-
gin again, and as they become more pas
siorate, so does the dancing become more
Intoxicating and abandoned each pair wSs-
ding out the old story OF coquetry, Jealousy
and The firsl surrender Of the maiden. &C
cordirg to their own tastes and ideas.
Soft, sxaying movements and gentle tar-
ming away, timid chances and startled ges-
lures gradually give place to more rsptur-
aus ps ss;ons. The excitement Of the dance
insriIes than to fresh and more rapid
eyolu,ious until exhausted nature can stand
10 more and they drop fainting on their
cushions.