6 minute lesson
Celebrating the Spirit of Hula Dancing
Many people have heard of Hula Dancing, but not many people know about its deep cultural significance.
Hula is a difficult dance and requires enormous amounts of practice. The Hula dancing most of us are familiar with is just a small reflection of the art form. At the Merrie Monarch Festival, every year the world’s best Hula dancers celebrate and the skill and cultural importance of Hula. Let’s take a look at the festival, and what it takes to be a champion.
Why It Matters
They make it look so effortless… until you realize that they’re in a squat with a smile on their face for the majority of their performance. It’s one testament that most, if not all, forms of dance are a truly grueling test of the body and mind. Learning about important cultural customs like the Hula gives us a greater appreciation for the true culture of Hawaii, not just the shows put on for tourists.
By learning about the way that people experience and perform things such as the hula, we can better understand why customs are so important to people and how they can make people feel connected to each other and to the Earth.
Let's Talk About It
Great Big Story
Great Big Story is a global media company devoted to cinematic storytelling. Headquartered in New York, with a bureau in London, our studios create and distribute micro-docs and short films, as well as series for digital, social, TV and theatrical release.