Hula Implements

Hula Implements
http://hawaiianlanguage.com/o-h-implements.html

Source: Pukui, Mary Kawena & Elbert, Samuel H., HAWAIIAN DICTIONARY,
University of Hawai`i Press, Honolulu, 1986.
Pronunciation Guide

>> Photos of Implements, Courtesy of:
Aloha Hula Supply & Bounty Music Hula Supply

`ili`ili
[ee' lee ee' lee]

Water-smoothed pebbles of close grained lava.

These are held two in each hand, clicked between the fingers of each hand, with a staccato rhythm akin to castanets; the pebble dance originated many centuries ago as a chant, preceding the hula.

Stones may be found in wet or dry stream beds and along beaches. Very smooth, bubble-free stones are preferred. Kukui nut oil is used to darken and add shine to the pebbles.

`ili`ili = pebble

>> The Sounds of the Hula

ipu
[ee' poo]

Mahalo e Patty for the images on this page!

Single or double gourd that is used as a drum by slapping it with the hands and fingers and stamping on the ground or on a mat.

ipu = gourd

Ipu heke (also called ipu hula and pâ ipu), dance drum made of two gourds attached together, resulting instrument is shaped like a figure 8, magnificent instrument to look at with a deep, sonorous resonance. An important element in the Hawaiian hula.

heke [heh keh = head], upper part of two gourds composing the hula drum. Squat gourd.

hôkeo [HOH keh yoh = long gourd calabash], lower of the two gourds of a drum. Long, globular gourd. Also called `olo.

ipu heke `ole, gourd drum without a heke

Ipu sounds:

pa`i = strike, slap (with the fingers and palm)

kû = thump (of the bottom of the ipu against a matted floor or folded piece of kapa)

>> Anne Blankenship discusses gourds
>> Photos of Gourds, Ipu, Ipu Heke
Courtesy of The Gourd Connection
>> Information on the gourd plant

kâla`au
[KAH' lah au']

Two sticks of hard, resonant wood

These are struck together, one upon the other, marking the rhythm of the dance, as part of the accompaniment to the hula.

kâ = to strike
la`au = wood

pû`ili
[POO' ee lee]

Split bamboo rattles

Lengths of slivered bamboo (`ohe), used in singly or as a pair and tapped in rhythmic accompaniment to make a rustling sound.

pû = to sound
`ili = bark or skin

`ulî `ulî
[oo LEE' oo LEE']

Rattles made from shot-like seeds of the canna (Indian shot) plant (ali`poe) placed in a small gourd (or a tree gourd (la`amia) or a coconut (niu)), bedecked with feathers or kapa (bark cloth). Used in accompaniment to the hula `uli`uli.

`ulî = to rattle

May Your Hula Brilliantly Shine with the Light of The Aloha Spirit!