2o8 foniainhv Collection of Hazvaiiau Polk-lorc. 



DANCING. 



Laka, the god of dancinti', is the god of all dancers. Laka is a powerful god. 



Here is the description: The body is of herb leaves, such as lialaf^cpc,^^ an herb like the 



icic;^" also all herb leaves of the forest, the iiiailc" the ginger, the fern, the ki*' leaves, the 



Uiuia" wreath. Laka has an altar, a wooden platform whereon everything is placed. It 



is a place where the dancing-masters and pu])ils worshiped. This is the way to pray 



before the altar : 



O Laka ! Here is food. 



O Laka ! Who has swine, food, tish. 



O Laka ! Who has riches and all things. 



Breast-slapping dance. The meaning is this : Slai^ijing is made on the breast 

 while the hands are moving, and the body in an undulating motion. 



Calabash dance. It is a dance with a calabash accomi)animent. Here is an ex- 

 planation: A long calabash is furnished, similar to a Iiokco, only the former has a neck 

 and a round opening on top, with a string on its side. One teacher and two ini])ils are 

 the performers, and so on to ten or more, with about six or seven or more substitutes. 



Drum dance. The drum is made of coconut [wood] covered on top with shark 

 skin;*" a coconut shell is also used. The drum is held in one hand and the coconut shell 

 in the other, the latter having been plaited with cords, the opening covered with kala 

 (fish) skin. Here is the mode of dancing. First, the pupil is dressed with a loin-cloth, 

 which makes her look chubby; a wreath rests on the head, and clasps are fastened at 

 the angles. Dog teeth and hog teeth (called /;;(//'//) encircle the hands, with ivory at 

 the neck. The ]mpil then sings as she appears before the teacher and the substitutes : 



Fond feelings arise for the friends of the lowlands, 



Companions in the upper woodlands of Puna, 



Some report of Kauakahi's rage 



At the absence of male friends on the night of invitation. 



Many are the oiifspring of Kauahoa, 



Many are the reports of chiefess Piikea ; 



The garland of the birds down at Halulu, 



Soaring in the face of the cliff Kahakea. 



Kalani works on the ornamented board, 



Ornamented indeed ! Put away for a moment the board of the 



chief 

 The high sea, the clouded sea, 

 The curling sea that came on the month 

 Of the summer, the month of Hinaakukele, 

 The loose sea, a wave of Kane. 

 The toisterous wave, the Iwisterous tide. 

 The ebl)-tide, the rapid current, the strong-sucking current. 

 The transparent sea, the sea which reveals the bottom. 



'"Halafcff (Dnicaciia lutrca). vcniently from cocomit log sections, the pitliy nature 



'"Icic (Fir\ciiictia anwtti). °^ ''* '^°''"-° '•-■■"■liiiK i'self more readily to hollowing, 



„,, ■,,,',■ ,■ / ■ ■ whether bv liriiig or adze-chipping till reaching the hard 



Ma,lc (Alyxu, ohvacformis). ^^„.f_,,^.., ^,;_ _,,, ^|^^,^^. /„,,,, ^,^^,„^^ ^.^.^^ .^,,^^,^ ^^^.^ j^^., 



'■A'l (Cordyliitc tcnninalis). i„ heiglit, as the performer used them while in a sitting 



"Iliina (Sida of several species). or kneeling position, tapping with the open hand on the 



"The drums here referred to were made most con- sliark-skin head, as it stood on the ground beside him. 



