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wcerto
Ahonui
USA
5052 Posts |
 Posted - 09/14/2012 : 3:34:25 PM
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This past summer heralded the 11th Festival of the Pacific Arts, held this year in the Solomon Islands. Halau Mohala `Ilima, headed by kumu hula Mapuana de Silva, lead the Hawaiian delegation to this showcase of arts of the various Pacific nations.
Here is an essay written by Lilinoe Sterling, this year's Merrie Monarch Miss Aloha Hula. It breaks my heart to read the stereotypes they had to overcome in trying to present the hula which is so dear to every member of Halau Mohala `Ilima. It is good, though, that even though it hurt her heart, it made her more resolute in keeping true to the teachings of those who have come before.
Please read it.
http://halaumohalailima.com/HMI/Lilinoe.html
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Me ke aloha
Malama pono,
Wanda |
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thumbstruck
Ahonui
USA
2168 Posts |
Posted - 09/15/2012 : 11:25:25 AM
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| We can't plumb the depths of our ignorance. "None of us is as ignorant as all of us." All humans are up against 3 things: 1)personal ignorance, 2)personal ineptitude (thus the need for expressions such as "oops" and "'scuse me!") for when circustance circumvents knowledge, and, 3)personal selfishness. Hopefully, one's universe expands with greater understanding. |
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slipry1
Ha`aha`a
USA
1511 Posts |
Posted - 09/15/2012 : 1:48:50 PM
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| As Uncle Keaka always says: "There's no delusion like self delusion". |
keaka |
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chistoso
Aloha
38 Posts |
Posted - 09/16/2012 : 11:51:54 AM
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“The reason there's so much ignorance is that those who have it are so eager to share it.”
Frank A. Clark, The Country Parson |
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Bobbolink
Aloha
26 Posts |
Posted - 09/16/2012 : 3:48:25 PM
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Thank you so much for sharing this essay. It makes it clear why this young woman was chosen to be a contender for Miss Aloha Hula.
What leaps out at me is the grace with which she remembers the Kupuna before who have stood up for the culture, and made it possible for her to be where she is. She is also obviously going to be another who perpetuates the culture by her honesty and scholarship.
This is very timely for me: I recently saw an article in the local paper extolling the virtues of a Tiki Bar. I see it as equivalent to the popularity of black face entertainment, and will give this essay as a resource when I write to the journalist, asking her to at least give another side to the story.
Mahalo. This is very important reading, on so many levels!
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TerryLiberty
Lokahi
USA
207 Posts |
Posted - 09/16/2012 : 4:38:06 PM
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Mahalo, Cory (Thumbstruck) for your wise and understanding comments.
Understanding, empathy and compassion help us past so many of life's contentious spots.
Regards. |
Terry
Olympia, WA
Forever a haumana |
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ypochris
Lokahi
USA
398 Posts |
Posted - 09/16/2012 : 4:52:49 PM
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I've been following this for a couple of days now, and I hope I don't offend anyone by asking, but doesn't anyone think this young lady takes herself far too seriously? I mean, being offended because they joked about a kiss?
While I haven't been to the Solomon Islands, I have been right next door. These are a sensual people, just as the Polynesians were a sensual people. And she is offended that they saw a sensual movement for what it was? Is that "stereotyping", or just universal human body language?
I'm sorry that the Hawaiians were so suppressed and oppressed by the European, Christian culture. I recognize that attempts to preserve that culture are deadly serious business for Hawaiians. And I'm proud of them for it; they are doing a better job than my Native American ancestors. But there is a difference between preserving a culture and being a "stuffed shirt" over it.
Perhaps the Solomon Islanders can afford to laugh because they still live their culture, instead of just preserving it for display. Perhaps they are just relaxed and enjoying themselves, and enjoying what they are being shown without uderstanding that it is a deadly serious business for the performers. Perhaps, to them, in their culture, such a performance is meant strictly for enjoyment, rather than being a desperate attempt to preserve something that almost died. Perhaps, in their culture, seneuality and sexuality is celebrated as it once was in Hawaiian culture, rather than being denied as this young dancer seems to want to do. My wife and daughter danced in a halau, so I know some dances and understand the meaning. Why try to pretend that sexuality doesn't exist in Hula?
Perhaps these islanders were seeing the dances as they were meant to be seen, what the body language expressed even though they couldn't understand the words. Perhaps they weren't "stereotyping" at all - where would they have gotten those stereotypes? Perhaps Ms. Sterling is the one doing the stereotyping, expecting everyone to see her dance through the prism of Christianity and a culture almost lost, instead of just enjoying it for what it is.
(And, perhaps this reply is just the result of a fair bit of alcohol, but it does reflect in some manner my thoughts over the past few days.) |
Edited by - ypochris on 09/16/2012 5:01:55 PM |
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sirduke58
`Olu`olu
USA
993 Posts |
Posted - 09/16/2012 : 9:32:59 PM
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| I have to admit that I was thinking along the lines of Chris' train of thoughts but lacked the verbal eloquence the express it. I don't think a people should be condemned because of ignorance without any malicious intent. In my opinion it's just a meeting of 2 different cultures with very little knowledge of the others customs........Just my 2 cents worth. |
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wcerto
Ahonui
USA
5052 Posts |
Posted - 09/17/2012 : 01:03:30 AM
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One of the other essays shared on the Halau Mohala `Ilima web site was written by dancer Kila`ana Miyamura -- not Hawaiian by birth -- she is 3rd generation local, but as she says, her culture is Hawaiian.
This is an excerpt from her essay. She speaks quite eloquently, as well.
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(Excerpted in part)
Our first few performances at the festival were met with mixed reactions and at times complete misunderstandings. From my perspective, it seemed that the audience, in Honiara (the main festival site) especially, was expecting the Hawai‘i delegation to entertain them with ‘Waikīkī type’ hula that they saw on T.V. It took a few performances to actually understand that this was what they expected. One day our group split up, one half went to present in Tulagi, the rest stayed back in the main festival village. Our small group was scheduled to present on the main stage in the village. This stage was probably the biggest concert stage I had ever danced on. It certainly was the largest live audience I have danced for. We started dancing; the audience was giving the same energy as previous performances. They started off really excited because they heard it was Hawai‘i, when our traditional presentation was not what they expected, the energy turned subdued. Then the most amazing thing happened.
Aunty Māpu started talking; now this isn’t an unusual occurrence, she normally shares some mana‘o about the dances that we are present, but this was different. She shared with them that we are not a ‘Waikīkī type’ dance group, don’t expect to see what you see in the movies and on T.V. We are here to share with you our traditional culture, our traditional dances. We are sharing dances that come from our past, passed down through the generations. She explained that even though these dances are from our people, they still tie us all together. We are still connected even though we are spread all over the Pacific Ocean. Aunty went on to explain that even though we were occupied by the USA, we must never loose sight of where we come from. We must never loose these traditions. That is our mission, our kuleana. She implored them to do the same for their culture, to not lose themselves to the influx of outside influence. As we were standing there on that stage, listening to her talk and looking out into the sea of Solomon Islanders that had gathered, I could see each person hearing the message. As soon as they understood, their faces changed. You could see the energy light up within them and inspire them with the understanding of what we were presenting.
Soon we were dancing again, and now the reaction was much different. They received what we were doing in a more respectful manner and with more understanding. At the end of our presentation, they were whooping, cheering and even jumping up and down. Not because of the entertainment we provided, but from the feeling of satisfaction of understanding the message we delivered to them.
Now, this is not to say that all of our audiences understood our message from that point forward. But seeing that one audience understand what we were saying, was a tremendous reward in of itself. By the end of our trip, I knew that our Hawai‘i delegation was successful in what we came do to. " |
Me ke aloha
Malama pono,
Wanda |
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wcerto
Ahonui
USA
5052 Posts |
Posted - 09/17/2012 : 01:06:02 AM
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I do not think anyone from the delegation is "condemning" the people of the Solomon Islands for their behavior. My intent was to show that even in tiny nations far away, nations that may have been subjects to stereotyping themselves, carry stereotypes as well. Simply because they knew nothing else. Now they do. Now they know better. Now they know real hula, as true as it can get. And the respect is deserves.
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Me ke aloha
Malama pono,
Wanda |
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sirduke58
`Olu`olu
USA
993 Posts |
Posted - 09/17/2012 : 5:03:25 PM
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| Good points Wanda. Glad there was more to the story & a new understanding. |
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cmdrpiffle
`Olu`olu
USA
553 Posts |
Posted - 09/17/2012 : 10:45:00 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by ypochris
I've been following this for a couple of days now, and I hope I don't offend anyone by asking, but doesn't anyone think this young lady takes herself far too seriously? I mean, being offended because they joked about a kiss?
While I haven't been to the Solomon Islands, I have been right next door. These are a sensual people, just as the Polynesians were a sensual people. And she is offended that they saw a sensual movement for what it was? Is that "stereotyping", or just universal human body language?
I'm sorry that the Hawaiians were so suppressed and oppressed by the European, Christian culture. I recognize that attempts to preserve that culture are deadly serious business for Hawaiians. And I'm proud of them for it; they are doing a better job than my Native American ancestors. But there is a difference between preserving a culture and being a "stuffed shirt" over it.
Perhaps the Solomon Islanders can afford to laugh because they still live their culture, instead of just preserving it for display. Perhaps they are just relaxed and enjoying themselves, and enjoying what they are being shown without uderstanding that it is a deadly serious business for the performers. Perhaps, to them, in their culture, such a performance is meant strictly for enjoyment, rather than being a desperate attempt to preserve something that almost died. Perhaps, in their culture, seneuality and sexuality is celebrated as it once was in Hawaiian culture, rather than being denied as this young dancer seems to want to do. My wife and daughter danced in a halau, so I know some dances and understand the meaning. Why try to pretend that sexuality doesn't exist in Hula?
Perhaps these islanders were seeing the dances as they were meant to be seen, what the body language expressed even though they couldn't understand the words. Perhaps they weren't "stereotyping" at all - where would they have gotten those stereotypes? Perhaps Ms. Sterling is the one doing the stereotyping, expecting everyone to see her dance through the prism of Christianity and a culture almost lost, instead of just enjoying it for what it is.
(And, perhaps this reply is just the result of a fair bit of alcohol, but it does reflect in some manner my thoughts over the past few days.)
You Sir said what a lot of us think. Very nice post. Be warned however, that the Hula is taken with fervent seriousness on this site by a very few folks who have no real connection. But think they do.
Cheers!
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my Poodle is smarter than your honor student |
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ypochris
Lokahi
USA
398 Posts |
Posted - 09/18/2012 : 04:26:58 AM
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| The second essay Wanda posted - yes, that one I can relate to. Ms. Miyamura put it very well. With understanding comes true appreciation. |
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Bobbolink
Aloha
26 Posts |
Posted - 09/18/2012 : 07:51:58 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by ypochris
but doesn't anyone think this young lady takes herself far too seriously?
ypochris, I would like to respectfully remind you that every group which has strived to overcome its oppression and assert itself with respect, has been accused of "taking themselves too seriously" and told to "lighten up".
Just a bit of historical perspective to consider.
with aloha,
Bobbolink |
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thumbstruck
Ahonui
USA
2168 Posts |
Posted - 09/18/2012 : 08:32:09 AM
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| All humans have, for the sake of expediency, allowed themselves to "pigeon hole" others. Great discipline is needed to not denigrate or demonize while doing this. |
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alika207
Ha`aha`a
USA
1260 Posts |
Posted - 09/24/2012 : 09:15:23 AM
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Aloha kakou,
This is a complicated issue, for me anyway. I only say that because I understand everyone's philosophies, and I believe we can all take bits and pieces from each other's thoughts into consideration.
This actually reminds me of the message I shared about a month ago when I wrote about that hula show I saw in Hawai'i last year. I wasn't really a fan of the musical aspect, but hopefully others were. |
He kehau ho'oma'ema'e ke aloha.
'Alika / Polinahe |
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Stereotypes exist everywhere
