The Hawaiian Hula and Tahitian Tamure - Polynesian Dance!
Ranked #1,392 in Travel & Places, #52,382 overall
The Hut Shakes! Ote a manu!
My first glimpse of Hawaiian hula and Tahitian Tamure was when I was a kid in New Mexico watching the TV series "Hawaii-50". The music was so passionate and the dancing so exotic that it made me want to run away to a paradise isle.
Little did I know, but in another year, my family would be flying across the Pacific Ocean to Hawaii on our way to the Western Pacific island of Guam.
It was at the Kodak Hula Show at the Kapiolani Park Waikiki Shell that I saw "Hula Dancers" in person. That memory sticks with me even now. (It's really sad that this free show for tourists and locals alike has been cancelled -- it had started in 1937 and ran for nearly 65 years. But the show came on hard times and was shut-down in 2002.)
In any case, when we arrived on Guam, we learned that there were major differences in the peoples and cultures of the Pacific Islands. Guam, like Saipan, Rota, Tinian, Palau, Truk (Chuuk), Yap, and Ponape is considered part of the "Micronesian" islands. Hawaii, Tahiti, Samoa, Tonga, the Cook Islands, Viti Levu, Easter Island, and Bora Bora are among the "Polynesian" islands. Fiji, New Caledonia, and Papua Niu Guinea are among the "Melanesian" islands.
I was astounded at all the interesting varieties of island cultures and their foods and dances. It was truly an amazing and fun learning experience.
This Squidoo lens is an attempt to share some of this wonderful cultural heritage with you. Please hang around for a while and enjoy sort of a "mini-luau" experience.
Little did I know, but in another year, my family would be flying across the Pacific Ocean to Hawaii on our way to the Western Pacific island of Guam.
It was at the Kodak Hula Show at the Kapiolani Park Waikiki Shell that I saw "Hula Dancers" in person. That memory sticks with me even now. (It's really sad that this free show for tourists and locals alike has been cancelled -- it had started in 1937 and ran for nearly 65 years. But the show came on hard times and was shut-down in 2002.)
In any case, when we arrived on Guam, we learned that there were major differences in the peoples and cultures of the Pacific Islands. Guam, like Saipan, Rota, Tinian, Palau, Truk (Chuuk), Yap, and Ponape is considered part of the "Micronesian" islands. Hawaii, Tahiti, Samoa, Tonga, the Cook Islands, Viti Levu, Easter Island, and Bora Bora are among the "Polynesian" islands. Fiji, New Caledonia, and Papua Niu Guinea are among the "Melanesian" islands.
I was astounded at all the interesting varieties of island cultures and their foods and dances. It was truly an amazing and fun learning experience.
This Squidoo lens is an attempt to share some of this wonderful cultural heritage with you. Please hang around for a while and enjoy sort of a "mini-luau" experience.
Tahitian Group Performing Tamure Dance at the Polynesian Cultural Center, Oahu, Hawaii
Read Up On This Cultural Expression and Celebration of Life and Worship Through Dance
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The Spirit of Hula by Floyd Berinobis, Shari iolani Floyd Berinobis
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Hula and Tamure Around the World
There's a Whole Lot of Shakin' Going On!
On Guam, we were "residents" rather than "tourists", so we rarely got over to the beach-side hotels (only to their beaches, not to enjoy their restaurants, shows, and other amenities). But we'd see advertisements in the local newspapers and magazines for the hotel's tourist dinner-shows--most of which consisted of "Polynesian Dancers".But the funny thing about these shows was that they were usually performed by Maoris, Tahitians, Japanese, Filipino, Chinese, Guamanians, Hispanics, and even "Statesiders" in a mix of dances from all over the Pacific islands--including things that were choreographed just for the show.
Not that this is bad--I think it's great that these dances can be expressed and performed by all cultures. And, let's face it, most of the tourists wouldn't recognize the difference between a Tahitian, Guamanian, Cook Islander, or New Zealander anyway. The tourists just enjoy the show and the thrill of being in such an exotic place. As rightly it should be!
The Dad of one of my high school buddies--a Filipino--owned and operated one of the hotel shows. My buddy acted as one of the performers--mostly as a drummer. It was a hoot seeing him all decked out in his costume. Some of my other high school and college classmates also performed in the show. It was fascinating to see them transform themselves into amazing dancer/performers.
Hawaiian Hula in Traditional Setting - The Meeting Between the Land and the Sea
curated content from YouTube
Expressing Your Culture, Your Religion, Your Enthusiasm for Life Through Dance!
In my senior year of high school on Guam, I got a job as a tourist photographer at the Guam Hilton Hotel.Most of this job required me to wander through the various restaurants, dining rooms, show-rooms, lounges, and pool and beach areas and ask the Japanese tourists I found if they'd like a souvenir picture. I'd snap the pictures and when the roll of film was exposed for the evening, I'd scramble down to the basement photolab where the film would be developed, the prints enlarged, developed, dried, and mounted in Hilton Hotel frame-folders--and then I'd run back up to the hotel front desk to have the photos delivered to the tourist room-number boxes.
And, it was always fun to be working the room of the Dinner and Polynesian Show. The performers were a wonderful Maori family from New Zealand--the Dad, the Mom, the three girls and their husbands. They'd not only do the New Zealand Maori dances, but they'd also do the Tahitian tamure and the Hawaiian Hula in addition to singing some songs and inviting tourists picked out of the crowd to dance with them. The primarily Japanese tourists just loved the food and the show (and getting their souvenir photos commemorating the event).
Although the tourism photography was the main focus of the job, I also became the hotel's "publicity" photographer. So, in addition to taking pictures of hotel chefs holding culinary creations on display or the hotel employees of the month or general hotel advertising photos, I was able to take many publicity photos of the Polynesian Show family -- both on and off their stage.
Because I was basically a staffer for the many businesses working at the hotel, I was able to visit and become friends with the dance group. It was interesting discussing their passion for sharing their Polynesian culture through their dancing.
You Really Need to See the Movement to Appreciate Hula!
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Tahitian Tamure, Germaine's Luau Show, Oahu, Hawaii
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History in Movies - Tahitian and Polynesian Cultures Collide with European Cultures
The Influence of the Tahitian Tamure: Scenes Depicting Early Tahitian/Polynesian Culture
When the British started their worldwide explorations in the 1600s they occasionally pulled in to the various Pacific islands to replenish their ships' provisions of food and water (and to give the crew a little R&R)... unfortunately, this was usually not a good thing for the islanders--combination of sailors getting too wild with the locals and the islanders' differing and naive views on personal property, sex, and hospitality. Hawaiians took care of the problem with Captain James Cook... where the islanders attacked and killed him and many of his crew.
One of the more famous escapades (aka "expeditions") was that of the HMS Bounty, under the command of Captain William Bligh. They were on an official trip to gather breadfruit for growing as a food source in other tropical British colonies--such as those in the Carribean. However, the trip was treacherous--they would have to return to the Atlantic via the Cape of Magellan. And since the weather here had almost destroyed the ship when they came into the Pacific, the crew didn't want to have to go back through that route again going the other direction.
The first mate, Christian Fletcher, and many of the crew decided that they wanted to stay in the Tahitian Islands (was it the elusive lure of the Polynesian paradise and the sensuous tamure and the earlier versions that were even more suggestive) and wound up mutinying against Captain Bligh, put him and his loyal crew on a boat to drift toward the western Pacific, and they took over the HMS Bounty.
This, however, forced the islanders to punish them for defying authority--and the whole group of mutineers and their new Tahitian brides had to escape and hide on a previously almost uncharted island--Pitcairn Island, where they lived for many years before the island was rediscovered.
The following movies provide various depictions of these historic events based on the sensibilities of the times when they were produced. Some of the more recent movies may be showing more than what some folks would want their kids to see, so parental discretion and guidance are highly recommended.
One of the more famous escapades (aka "expeditions") was that of the HMS Bounty, under the command of Captain William Bligh. They were on an official trip to gather breadfruit for growing as a food source in other tropical British colonies--such as those in the Carribean. However, the trip was treacherous--they would have to return to the Atlantic via the Cape of Magellan. And since the weather here had almost destroyed the ship when they came into the Pacific, the crew didn't want to have to go back through that route again going the other direction.
The first mate, Christian Fletcher, and many of the crew decided that they wanted to stay in the Tahitian Islands (was it the elusive lure of the Polynesian paradise and the sensuous tamure and the earlier versions that were even more suggestive) and wound up mutinying against Captain Bligh, put him and his loyal crew on a boat to drift toward the western Pacific, and they took over the HMS Bounty.
This, however, forced the islanders to punish them for defying authority--and the whole group of mutineers and their new Tahitian brides had to escape and hide on a previously almost uncharted island--Pitcairn Island, where they lived for many years before the island was rediscovered.
The following movies provide various depictions of these historic events based on the sensibilities of the times when they were produced. Some of the more recent movies may be showing more than what some folks would want their kids to see, so parental discretion and guidance are highly recommended.
Hawaiian Hula and Tahitian Tamure... the Differences
The Hawaiian Hula is frequently slow and almost ballet-like or with movements that resemble the Chinese Tai Chi.The Tahitian Tamure is fast and frenzied with a lot of shaking.
Both are accompanied by percusion instruments--the Tahitian Tamure tends to have more drums, the Hawaiian Hula tends to have gourd and bamboo rattles. But they can share similar instruments.
With regard to costumes:
The Hawaiian Hula started with the skirts of ti leaves and with crowns, anklets, and leis of hibiscus, plumeria, and pikake (jasmine) flowers and leaves.
The Tahitian Tamure started with skirts (sometimes mistakenly called "grass skirts") made from the shredded bark of the hibiscus tree.
When missionaries stumbled onto the islands, they were mortified by the suggestiveness of the dances and the lack of much clothing (sort of duh here, when it's 85 degrees and 90% humidity, a parka is out of the question.. --and they didn't have T-shirts in those days anyway). Well, the missionaries used their clout with the islanders and covered them up with the baggie "muumuus" and "mother hubbard" bag-dresses. They also banned any of the dancing because they felt it was sinful and too suggestive of sex.
It was only many years later that the islanders (in Hawaii, through the influence of prominent Hawaiian-ancestry politicians) brought their cultural heritage of dance back into revival in the original (or close) form.
The books and DVDs provided here in this Squidoo lens can give you more details on the history and heritage of the various forms of Polynesian dance throughout the islands.
Hula and Tamure Links!
- Aloha Friends Luau - Hula and Tamure Clubs From Around the World
- This website provides a resource for those wanting to locate hula and tamure clubs and dance troupes from around the world. Check these groups out to prepare for your next luau party!
- Hawaiian Hula Hips - Denver, Colorado
- Hula Halau Ho'opalama's website provides more information on this Rocky Mountain Area hula organization.
- Hula's Waikiki
- Aloha! This is Waikiki Hula's Place. Uh, it's in Waikiki. Honolulu. Hawaii. Need I say more? Check it out!
- PBS Presentation on the American Aloha ...
- Beautiful video documentary on the art and culture of the Hawaiian Hula... Nice site for those of you wanting more in-depth information on the hula!
- Hula Preservation Society Website
- This is the website for the Hula Preservation Society... numerous interesting links here (and soundtracks for chants).
Hula Wear? T-shirts Don't Shake as Much as "Grass Skirts" - But Are More Comfortable!
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Well, Stop Shakin' Long Enough to Drop Us a Note!
Let us know how ya shakin'!
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VickiSims
Jan 28, 2012 @ 10:09 am | delete
- Great information about the different cultures and dances of the different Pacific Islands and such an interesting personal story about your job as a hotel photographer. Thanks for sharing! ~blessed
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Mermaiden
Oct 9, 2011 @ 8:33 am | delete
- You're pictures are so beautiful! My family recently relocated into the mountains and I miss the beach so much. I feel like a part of me is missing. This lens really made me smile. Thanks for sharing all this great info!
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ShamanicShift
Jan 19, 2011 @ 8:25 pm | delete
- What a great dance -- and Hula lens -- blessed by a SquidAngel!
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RebeccaE
Sep 9, 2010 @ 11:32 pm | delete
- wow tis is awesome, love the videos, almost makes me want to go visit the lovely places (in Hawaii) you have so wonderfully wrote about
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Treasures-By-Brenda
Jul 21, 2009 @ 7:52 am | delete
- I fell in love with Hawaii in Hawaii and I cannot wait to go back! I've blessed your lens and lensrolled it to my Hawaii Souvenirs, The Best ~~ Our Top 10 and Hawaii For Kids By A Kid.
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There are a lot of legends involved with the Hula!
Hula: Hawaiian Proverbs and Inspirational Quotes Celebrating Hula in Hawaii
Amazon Price: $10.95 (as of 05/31/2012)
This book is a comprehensive guide to the legends that are behind many of the hula "stories"--told by the motions of the dance. Lots of fascinating narrative and illustrations!
How to Hula.... If you want to know the moves, this is for you!
BASIC HULA - Intensive Hawaiian Instruction for Steps, Hands and Posture
Amazon Price: $40.00 (as of 05/31/2012)
This book provides the narratives and illustrations that you'll need to get you moving the right way! Get yours now!
This DVD will get you shakin' and rockin' the house!
Island Girl Dance Fitness Workout for Beginners: Tahitian Cardio
Amazon Price: $6.57 (as of 05/31/2012)
Nothing better to work up some sweat while having a great time! And dancing is a fun way to exercise!
