Contextual Associations

The ‘ulī’ulī is vessel-rattle idiophone used for the accompaniment of Hawaiian hula. Hula ‘ulī’ulī is a group of traditional chants (mele) meant to be performed with dance (hula) for which the dancers, who also chant, each sound a single hand-held ‘ulī’ulī. Hula ‘ulī’ulī date back to pre-European contact Hawaii prior to the arrival of American missionaries and the dramatic changes to Hawaiian lifeways they initiated. Today hula ‘ulī’ulī are typically performed by hālau hula, traditional dance schools under the guidance of respected carriers of the Hawaiian chant and hula tradition. Such groups perform in competitions and festivals celebrating Hawaiian identity. A modern style of hula using a pair of ‘ulī’ulī is often encountered in commercial settings such as luaus presented at hotels or for tourist shows.

Description

Each of the ‘ulī’ulī in the image on this page is made from a variety of materials, some of which are also seen in the image in their natural state. A calabash fruit shell is used for the vessel (gourd and coconut shell can also be used) and has four holes drilled around where the stem was attached. The natural contents of the calabash must be removed through these holes and replaced with several ali'ipoe (canna, a tropical plant) seeds. Rattan lacing is threaded through the holes in the calabash and wound around a stem probably made of wood and which is topped off with a disc about 4.5 inches in diameter. To this disc is attached the quills of hundreds of rooster feathers. The bottom of the disc is covered with pleated cotton cloth and its top with a circular patch of bark cloth (tapa).

Player - Instrument Interface and Sound Production

For traditional hula ‘ulī’ulī one or more kneeling dancers each hold a single ‘ulī’ulī by its handle in their right hand. Each dancer shakes the rattle or strikes it against their left palm or some other part of the body to produce a characteristic sizzling sound of indefinite pitch. All the strikes and shakes are timed so that the sound of the ‘ulī’ulī provides a regular temporal framework for the performers’ movements and chanting. In a modern form of hula ‘ulī’ulī dating from the 20^th century the dancers stand and hold an ‘ulī’ulī in each hand.

Origins/History/Evolution

Vessel rattles are not found elsewhere in Oceania. This would suggest that the ‘ulī’ulī is of Hawaiian invention rather than being an object or idea brought to Hawaii by ancient Polynesian settlers.

Bibliographic Citations

Cambra, Zaneta Ho’oūlu. 1984. “Ūlī’ulī.” NGDMI v.3: 697-698.

Emerson, Nathaniel B. 1909. Unwritten Literature of Hawaii: The Sacred Songs of the Hula. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office.

Hiroa, Te Rangi (Peter H. Buck). 1964. Arts and Crafts of Hawaii--IX: Musical Instruments. Honolulu: Bishop Museum Press.

McLean, Mervyn. 1999. Weavers of Song: Polynesian Music and Dance. Honolulu: University of Hawai’i Press.

Roberts, Helen H. 1967. Ancient Hawaiian Music. New York: Dover Publications, Inc.