Polynesian Dance Styles

Hula dance is just one of the many polynesian dances that we perform and teach here at AtlantaHulaDance:

    Hawaiian Hula Dance
The characteristic slow and graceful movements emphasize the hips and hands. The choreographies tell storries about every day live in Hawaii.

    Tahitian Ori and Ote'a Dance
Tahitian costumes are known for their beautiful tall headdresses, grass skirts and hand tassels. The Otea dancers move their hips to fast energetic drum beats.

    New Zealand Maori Dance
The best known prop for Maori dance are the poi balls, which are attached to long cords and swung in cirles around the poi dancers. At night (and outside, please), they can be set on fire for a spectacular display.
A Kapa haka is a group gathered to practise and perform the songs and dances of the Maori people of New Zealand. Kapa means "row" in Maori, and much of the performance is given with the performers in rows.
Canoe dances tell the story of the Maori people's migration by canoe from Polynesia to New Zealand.

    Samoa Dance
The story about life in Samoa is told through clapping and slapping in Sa Sa dances. Lapa sticks are used for rhythm dances. And a dramatic fire or knife dancer leaps and spins while juggling knifes or flaming torches to a rapid, primeval drum beat.

		Hawaiian Hula Dance The characteristic slow and graceful movements emphasize the hips and hands. The choreographies tell storries about every day live in Hawaii.
		Tahitian Ori and Ote'a Dance Tahitian costumes are known for their beautiful tall headdresses, grass skirts and hand tassels. The Otea dancers move their hips to fast energetic drum beats.
		New Zealand Maori Dance The best known prop for Maori dance are the poi balls, which are attached to long cords and swung in cirles around the poi dancers. At night (and outside, please), they can be set on fire for a spectacular display. A Kapa haka is a group gathered to practise and perform the songs and dances of the Maori people of New Zealand. Kapa means "row" in Maori, and much of the performance is given with the performers in rows. Canoe dances tell the story of the Maori people's migration by canoe from Polynesia to New Zealand.
		Samoa Dance The story about life in Samoa is told through clapping and slapping in Sa Sa dances. Lapa sticks are used for rhythm dances. And a dramatic fire or knife dancer leaps and spins while juggling knifes or flaming torches to a rapid, primeval drum beat.