In ancient times, hula dancing was seen as a sacred ritual.
In ancient Hawaii, luaus were lavish, celebratory feasts that hundreds of people attended. They quickly became a part of the Hawaiian culture and were known for their ambiance, food and entertainment. The luau's history is a rich one, and many of the same traditions are still a part of the luau experience today.
The Beginning
In ancient Hawaiian times men and women dined separately from one another. In 1819 this tradition changed when King Kamehameha II wished to eat with women. From these feasts, the luau was created. The name derives from one of the meals served during these celebrations called luau. A luau dish consisted of leaves from the taro plant and chicken baked in coconut milk. Ancient luaus were often massive gatherings. For example, King Kalakaua, also known as the Merry Monarch, notoriously celebrated his 50th birthday by inviting more than 1,500 guests to a luau.
Decor and Ambiance
Attending a luau gave you a feeling of intimacy. Each guest received leis upon arrival. From there, guests were ushered in to sit on the floor atop rolled out mats. The mats were made from lauhala leaves woven together. The decor was never disappointing. Tables were usually covered with a white tablecloth and fresh Hawaiian ferns and flowers. In fact, one of the most memorable parts of a Hawaiian luau was the copious amount of fragrant blooms.
Food
Part of the ancient luau experience was enjoying the delicious food. Luaus usually had a variety of traditional Hawaiian dishes, and there was always an abundance of it. One staple dish was poi, which was made from mashed taro root. Platters of sweet potatoes and fresh fruit, like bananas and coconut, were always offered at a luau. Pig roasts were common, but other meats were also served. Pigs were sometimes cooked in an underground oven to give it a smoky taste. Fresh and salted fish and other Hawaiian delicacies were also prepared. Utensils were not used during these ancient luaus.
Entertainment
One of the first things that comes to mind when the word luau is mentioned is the beautiful performances that take place during the feast. Today hula dancing is a part of a luau celebration, but the origins of when the hula was first performed is not clear. One thing that is agreed upon however, is that the original hula dance was performed by a god or goddess. The hula was usually only performed as part of a ritual or for ceremonial purposes. Today, the hula is done for its entertainment and aesthetic purposes. The hula is an interpretative dance that tells a story through movement and is accompanied with music and chanting.
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