Polynesian

If youve never studied Polynesian dance, watching just one live

performance might leave you wondering how you would feel up on
stage, dancing the Hula or the Tahitian Ori. Its not just the effortless
motion of the dancers hips as they sway in perfect unison with their
hands, shoulders and feet, or the mesmerizing beat of the music, or
the beautiful costumes. Its the way all those pieces fit together with
an easy grace, making it hard to take your eyes off the dancers.
To feel the spirit of Polynesian dance is beyond words, says Kaina
Quenga, a Hawaiian and Tahitian dance teacher in NYC. Its more than
an art form. Its a way of being! Read on to learn more about
Polynesian danceand why its followers are so addicted.
Origins of the Movement
Polynesian dance encompasses Tahitian, Tongan, Samoan, Fijian, Maori
(New Zealand) and Hawaiian styles. It began as an accompaniment to
the oral storytelling traditions of those islands, conveying the literal
meaning of a tale. Modern Polynesian dance still tells stories through
movement, but those narratives can be a bit more abstract, allowing
audiences to focus on the beauty of the dances themselves.
Watch and Learn
Today, Polynesian dance is performed all over the world: at concerts,
colleges and universities, civic events, competitions, and festivals.
Classes and seminars in various types of dances are also widely
available. As in many other dance forms, Polynesian dancers may
perform as soloists but often dance with groups and companies. Many
teachers do double duty as performers and directors of troupes or
companies, so ask your teacher if and where he or she performs.
Get to Class
An introductory Polynesian dance lesson might include basic hip
movements, traveling across the floor and a short routine. Instructors
often weave in lessons about the dances costumes, music and
symbolism. And if youre looking to stay conditioned for ballet, hip hop
or tap, youve come to the right place. The stretches and isolations
tone and strengthen the abs and thighs, and the use of different
rhythms in different parts of the body improves coordination. Lastly,
dont be afraid to ask questions. Teachers have often studied other
types of dance and should be able to help beginners.
The Dances
Hawaiian

Todays Hawaiian dance includes two basic styles: Hula Kahiko (ancient
Hula) and Hula Auana (modern Hula). Hula Kahiko involves vigorous
hand movements performed to the chants, or mele, of a singer playing
a gourd drum. Hula Auana, set to contemporary music or accompanied
by a ukelele, is more gentle and flowing.
Tahitian
Tahitian dance consists of fast, rhythmic hip movements, usually set to
the beat of the toere, or slit-log drum. These hip isolations, known as
oteas, are the highlight of many luau performances. Tahitian dance
also has a distinctive basic step for men, paoti, which involves opening
and closing slightly bent knees like scissors.
Samoan
Samoan culture has many visually exciting dances, or siva, such as the
Siva Afi (fireknife), in which dancers twirl and toss a single- or
double-bladed knife lit on fire. This dance originated as a way to train
warriors, as did the Faataupati, or Samoan slap dance, which teaches
young men coordination by having them smack various parts of their
bodies.
Maori
Maori dance, which originated in New Zealand, often involves sticks,
songs and games. Particularly notable is the Poi dance, in which Maori
women twirl Poi ballssmall spheres attached to braided fibersin an
effort to keep their hands flexible for weaving. The whirring sound
made by the props is also supposed to evoke the noise of the sea and
of various animals.
Fijian
Fijian dance is characterized by the meke dances, which include the
spear dance, the fan dance and the sitting dance. Simultaneously
powerful and graceful, meke are usually accompanied by singing,
drumming and hand clapping, and are danced during celebrations and
special occasions.
Tongan
One of the most popular Tongan dances is the Tauolunga, often
performed by girls at weddings, which uses hand movements to
interpret song lyrics. Other notable Tongan dances include the
Lakalaka, which uses only arm movements; the Mauluulu, a sitting
dance; and the Kailao, a war dance in which dancers use clubs to
simulate combat.
One of the most beautiful aspects of Polynesian dance is its focus on
personal expression. Makalina, a teacher with the Hawaiian Express
and Lei Pasifika dance companies, advises aspiring Polynesian dancers
to be patient and explore dances thoroughly, but not to worry too

much about steps and counts or technique. Soon, she says, youll enjoy
one of the art forms greatest rewards: the feeling of ohana, or family.
Polynesian dance is feeling expressed in movement, says Enjole,
Polynesian dance teacher and director of the Hawaiian Tropical
Paradise Dance Troupe. Its culture, history, artistry, pageantry,
discipline and passion all in one.

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