Hula is a Native Hawaiian dance that is hundreds of years old. The dance has a variety of purposes. It can be a form of entertainment or worship or a way to pass down stories. Explore the different parts of hula dancing!
Musical Instruments
For generations, Hawaiians have been sharing stories about their history, people, and natural world through music. They sing lyrical, chanted poems as they dance the hula and play musical instruments to tell these stories. Using shells, seeds, trees, and plants, Native Hawaiian people created all their own musical instruments. Many Hawaiians still make these instruments by hand today.
Hula Basics
Find a flat, smooth surface. Take off your socks and shoes.
Stand with your feet about four inches apart. Bend your knees. Place your hands on
your hips.Beginning with your right foot, step to the right and bring your left foot alongside. Step to the right again. Tap your left foot alongside. Repeat to the left.
Once you can do step 3, add arm motions. When you step right, bend your left arm and raise it to your chest with your elbow straight out. Extend your right arm straight out to the side. Do the opposite when you step left.
Hand Gestures
The hand gestures used in hula dancing help tell a story.
