about culture

We watched a TV program on educatonal channel 9 about the Hawaian Hula. I didn't know that the Hawaiians on the mainland are holding to their culture and even developing the hula further. There are hula schools and contests, sounds about like the Indians are doing with their pow-wows and dance contests. It looked so fun to be involved in such a close-net family and community thing. The hula has caught on with men in a masculine way that would appeal to guys wanting to look and strut fierce.

I so remember one of the highlights of our stay in Kauii. We lived in an apartment owned by one of the island's foremost hula teachers. We were invited to one of their family get-to-gethers and witnessed how the hula ties the family together. We also witnessed it in a rather pure form where it was so darn graceful and beautiful, we could hardly believe it.

Yes, I wish my Hawaii children could partake of the spirit of hula. I wonder if they feel a little like I do....kinda like we don't deserve to horn in on their "thing". I feel like that with he Indians. It is their territory. The whites have stolen everything else. Then, too, there is that white-man, Christian superiority attitude to get over.

The hula is a little different than the Indian pow-wows. It seems to be a little more accepting of other than pure Hawaiians. At least the way it is developing here on the mainland.

If I lived in Hawaii, I would want to partake and claim as much as I can. Even old, maybe I'd learn hula. Probably couldn't. I had a hard time being exact when I learned some tie chi. I am so much a do-my-own thing person. To learn Hawaiian words would be very hard for me. But the things they dance about seem so "cool", "beautiful", and even spiritual.

I feel awkward trying to belong in a fun way. Our Mormon culture seems rather bland to me. We are all so scared we aren't being Mormon enough. What is being Mormon enough? Temple going and work?....that is great for a quite, reflective mood. But what about the joyous life moments of celebration? About all we do is eat.

The next TV program was one on bluegrass music. Even that looked fun. Not as much as hula, however. The feeling that there was a "jug" in the background wasn't for me. But it did make me want to get up and shake a leg.
Hey! We now have a Scott in the family and he is a drummer. Once I went to a "drumming" and that looked fun as heck. Maybe we could get him to help us do a familly drumming some time. I have two big drums like Indians make. Buffalo hide and all. The time I saw it done, some ladies got up and belly danced. Now that REALLY looked fun! Whew, I can just see Jamie as a belly dancer. She would set the whole place on fire. I guess we better stick to watching Dancing with the Stars. That is Grandpa's favorite. Apparently as you get old and can't do things, the funner the doing looks. Darn!