The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1885-01-15
THE HULA-HULA.
Strange Customs of the Natives OF the
Sandwich Islands.

Strange Customs of the Natives OF the
Sandwich Islands.
The hula-hula or native dance OF the
Sandwich Islanders is one of the most
singular and fascinating exhibitions OF
the poetry of motion to be seen among
any of the barbaric or semi-civilized ma
tions of the earth. In the oiden time
on all occasions of festivity and Joy the
hula-huia was \ conspicuous feature.
The king had his own band of expert
dancers. and the hula-hu:a was brought
to high state of perfection: but on the
advent of the missionaries into the
country and the civilization of the race
hula-hula began to decline. The infiu-
ence of the missionaries and of the
really religious of the natives has al
WAYS been strongly exercised against
iss perpetuation, both on account OF its
connection with the old days of idola-
trous worship, and because they think
some portions of the performance un-
seemlv and even lewd. A few famous
dancers still remain. but public ex-
hibition is never given. At rare inter
walls private hula-hula is gotten up
and few favored foreigners ale inril-
ed to witness lhs performance.
was invited by native chief whose
acquaintance had formed. to 60 with
him to see real hula-hula, q genuine
dance of the good old time.
We entered large room on the aoor
OF which nlrmber of native spectators
iav stretched on soft mats. Room was
made for MS. and we had hardly taken
our seats before curtain, which was
stretched at the far end of the room was
drawn. and the entertainment COM
meneed First the musicians entered
AMI sat down on one end OF the stage,
which was simply large thick mat. OF
three sides of which reclined the spec
tators. The music consisted of six
drums-three large and three small.
The large ones were enormous Gala
bashes, the heads of which were cover
ed with tightly drawn skin; the small
ones Wer. cocoanut shells covered in
the same manner.
The leaders sprightly- dame of 40
summers-was very ltaportant, per-
sonage, as it was her business to direct
the performance by the expression of
her face and the action of her hands.
Suddenly a strange chant was raised,
accompanied by beating OF the drums
in perfect time. This, gradually died
away and two more musicians appear
ed. holding long sticks from which they
elected clear notes by striking them
with shorter ones; these took their
places behind the rest of the orchestra
and
After them. all dancing In q row.
The comely virgins came with garsnds d1ght.
All fresh VIII flowers.
Ten girls, fascinatingly dressed. with
scarfs bound around their waists and
crowned with garlands of flowers and
with wreaths Of gardenias around their
wrists and ankles, made their way with
slow and graceful movements to the
edge of the stage, on which they sank
lust as the music ceased Some OF
these girls were beautiful, and had
softly nodded limbs and figures of ex-
treme grace. At a tap of the drum
they raised themselves to their knees
and commenced wild song TO which
thev at first beat time by clapping OF
the hands Gradually this changed iu-
to the most expressive pantomine. The
sticks and drums took up this measure
arms, hands and even fingers spoke
torrents of words with precision that
The best-drilled ballet troupe could new
er attain. The body swayed backward
and forward, the slightest motion to
the right OF left being repeated by all;
sometimes snake-like and repulsive,
anon seductive and pleasing, until IL
nally wild tossing of the arms. fol-
lowed BY low wall, proclaimed the
end OF the story, TO the evident dis
comfiture of the ma den, and the tri-
umph OF the lover.
During the interval required for a
rest, very intricate performance was
gone through by four men and four
women, who sat opposite an close to
one another. Each held bamboo
ahGlt two feet and split at the end into
Str ps. When struck together the,
made most peculiar sound whicl.
formed the accompaniment TO the song
The object appeared to be for each
one to put the other out of Time. in
which none of them ever succeeded, AS
in gheteyer way one thrust he stick.
the other Was sure to do exactly the
same. Sometimes prick point by the
| men was gracefully parried by the wo-
men, who retatiated by asmart tap OF:
the head or shoulder. which the men
! never attempted to guard. A distinct
rhyme was Kept no all the time by the
bamboos, and It's siiair sound began to
get somewhat monOtonOas loud cries
were raised fOr the ''hnlR,
The dancers formed a circle. Each
held a small calabash ornamented with
feathers. and with seeds inside. so that
it could be used as Iamborine or rat
tie. Slowly the ring begins to circle
round. hands and feet keeping time in
fnr 20
quicksR their steps, and the, sharp rat
tie keeps up L ringing IRE, with now
and then a deep boom from ths big
drums; the circle widens, and, just as
with wild grace the dancers reach the
inner row of spectators tue music ceas-
es and they throw themselves on the
ground, leaving two of their number
standing in the center. After pause
the MUSIC and the singing begins aga n
and as they hScoMe more passionate SO
does the daucing o: the pair become
more intoxicating and abandoned
Others join them. each pair wording
out the old story OF coquetry, jealousy,
and the final surrender of the maiden,
according to their own tastes and ideas.
SOFT swaying movements. and gentle
turning away timid glances and start
led gestures gradually give pla TO
more rapturous passions. The excite
ment of the dance inspires them to
fresh and more rapid evolutions, until
exhausted nature can stand no more,
and they drop fainting on their cush-
ions.-hansds City Journal.
Mr.. Carruthers used to relate with