A hÃÂlau hula () is a school or hall in which the Hawaiian dance form called hula is taught. The term comes from hÃÂlau, literally, "long house, as for canoes or hula instruction"; "meeting house"', and hula, a Polynesian dance form of the Hawaiian Islands. Today, a hÃÂlau hula is commonly known as a school or formal institution for hula where the primary responsibility of the people within the hÃÂlau is to perpetuate the cultural practice of hula.
There is great variation between hÃÂlau. Some focus primarily on ancient styles of hula, others on modern styles, and some study both. Some hÃÂlau continue to preserve very strict kapu, sacred protocols, while others are noa, or free of kapu. The styles of hula taught in different hÃÂlau also can vary greatly. Styles are passed down from kumu to haumÃÂna, and knowledgeable students of hula can tell which hula lineage is represented by watching the dancer's presentation.
Traditionally, a hÃÂlau was constructed as a sacred space and dedicated to the god Laka. Although Hawaiians had many gods, within a hÃÂlau Laka was important as evidenced by the kuahu, or altar, which stood in the hÃÂlau space and required constant care. The kuahu was adorned with greenery in honor of the Gods, song-offerings and pule, or prayers, were also offered to this sacred dwelling space within the hÃÂlau.
The location of hÃÂlau today vary widely, from the kumu's home to community centers, to the lawns of parks. HÃÂlau hula can be found wherever there is space and a company or troupe of hula students.
The internal structure of a hÃÂlau hula can vary quite a bit, generally these are led by a kumu hula, or master teacher, whose position is roughly equivalent to that of a headmaster. The kumu is responsible for maintaining the integrity of the style and traditions handed down to them by their kumu, during their hula training. Their kuleana, or responsibility, is therefore to uphold the training and discipline of their haumÃÂna through a perpetuation of their hÃÂlau traditions. The kumu is also responsible for the spiritual integrity of the hÃÂlau, and is responsible for instructing students in the proper care and protocol of the hÃÂlau, which includes their physical well-being by teaching good exercise, dietary, and hygienic practices.
Within a hÃÂlau there are typically two classes of performers. The ÃȈ Âlapa, or dancers, who, like the ÃȈ Âlapa tree (Cheirodendron trigynum) dance with agility and bend gracefully alikened to the motion of the leaves of the ÃȈ Âlapa. Along with the hoûopaûa, or steadfast class of performers. The hoûopaûa are responsible for instrumentation and typically chant and dance with their instruments while sitting or kneeling, accompanying the ÃȈ Âlapa dancers. Typically, this role was for students with more experience and maturity.
The poopuaa, or head student, is often the kumu's protégé, and under the direction of the kumu oversees the protocol and rituals of the hÃÂlau.
The alakai or "guides" act as teaching assistants, with the more advanced effectively being student teachers. Alakai often will assist less experienced haumÃÂna with their lessons, and coach them with the more difficult steps and moves.
KÃ Âkua or helpers assist in a variety of areas, from lei making, to helping other haumÃÂna dress, making phone calls, fund raising, and helping alakai coach less experienced students.
HaumÃÂna, the students, range in age from toddlers to senior citizens.
Prior to European contact, the Hawaiian language had no word for "school", as the concept of a specialized place of instruction did not exist in Hawai`i prior to the arrival of Christian missionaries. Education came from parents, aunts, uncles, and elders, while children who showed promise in a specialized art or craft would be apprenticed to a master and work in the latter's hÃÂlau.
In ancient times, students joining a hÃÂlau hula would be dedicated solely to the study of hula for the duration of their training. Their families would provide maintenance for the support of the hÃÂlau. HÃÂlau hula training was strict, with haumÃÂna put on kapu or rules and codes of conduct which banned the cutting of hair and the practicing of any kind of sexual activity.
Today, students have set hours for study at the hÃÂlau, and often pay monthly dues to help the kumu with support and maintenance. Present-day hÃÂlau hula each have their own set of rules for their haumÃÂna, with many still enforcing the traditional rule of not cutting one's hair. Each year, the distinctive styles of each hÃÂlau can be seen at the Merrie Monarch Festival held in Hilo. HÃÂlau are judged on individual (Ms. Aloha Hula) and group performances in categories for kÃÂne (men) and wÃÂhine (women). Winners are recognized for their performances of kahiko (traditional), ûauana (contemporary) and an Overall Festival Winner is recognized.
Four basic steps are commonly used in all hÃÂlau hula, and each of the steps has many variants. All of the basic steps in hula require the shoulders to remain steady and both knees to be in a bent position at all times.
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