The 'Uli 'Uli and the role of playing

Title: unknown hula
Performers: members of the Polynesian Cultural Center, O'ahu, Hawai'i
Culture or origin:  Hawai'i
Orchestration:  'Uli 'uli, gourd rattles used as hula implements filled with small shells, seeds, or pebbles. `Uli`uli have a handle attached to one end, and this handle usually is attached to a counterweight which may be covered with kapa, feathers, or both, played either by shaking or tapping against the body. In traditional hulas, only one ‘uli‘uli is played; however, in modern hulas, a dancer will play two. The traditional hulas, called hula kahiko, have been performed for centuries in Hawaii to honor the gods, to entertain the royal court, and to preserve orally transmitted narratives and genealogies. Modern hulas, called hula auana, are performed for a larger, global audience and have broadened to incorporate narratives about love and Hawaiian identity.Gourds


 I know that I already brought up the hula in a previous post, but I could not help going back to it again with this video, which shows a couple of professional performers showing some children how to perform with the instrument called the ‘uli‘uli.  To me this just reenforces the impact that playing has on socialization.  If this were done in an instructional setting like a music classroom, there may be more to talk about in regards to what all the movements mean socially in cultural context, but on the surface just this little activity is bringing these two girls together in a fun atmosphere that will give them a chance to learn while enjoying the activity, prompt curiosity and question asking, and providing a basis for these two girls utilize as they interact with each other.  One can look at the socialization effects in two ways, as a world music activity, learning about the social contexts of the Hawaiian people and how each movement and sound is a connection to the telling of a story (a fundamentally social process), and as a social foundation that goes beyond the ethnomusicology aspects in which these children are just engaging in educational play that would probably not have nearly the impact on learning, motivation, and socialization beyond the educational setting if the children were not actively participating in the experience.  I realize that I may be approaching this particular subject through the eyes of generalization, but I find it much more efficient to not over complicate topics like this and keeping it simplified to down to its root implications.   It takes only a quick glance at the smiles and concentration on the children's faces to illustrate my point.