Essential Questions

1. Where is Polynesia on a world map and how is it affiliated with the United States of America?

2. What are the similarities and differences between the 5 Polynesian island dances of study?

3. How does dance provide insight into traditions, culture and history of a place?

4. How does Polynesian dance arouse community interest and stimulate community participation?

Learning Intentions Upon completing this Module, students will:

1. Identify the geographic location of five major Polynesian Islands and can discuss details about them. 

2. Interact with digital storytelling as a learning tool.

3. Articulate similarities and differences between the dances of the five Polynesian Islands presented in this unit.

4. Deepen a connection to Polynesian culture;

5. Develop Polynesian dance techniques to express tradition and story.

Success Criteria

1. I can learn about a society’s traditions, culture, and beliefs  through their music and dance.

2. I will help broaden the stereotypical American tourist perspective of Hawaii and the Pacific Islands in respect for the complexity of all cultures. 

Learning Outline

This 2-hour+ unit is on Polynesian Dance: A Window into Polynesian Culture and Traditionand includes twovideo presentations by Tiana Tangulu. It can be taught as a whole learning experience, or in chosen sections as time allows:  

• 15 minutes: Launch Activity– An Introduction to Polynesia (Geography & Affiliation with the United States)

• 30 minutes: While Viewing– Discovering Polynesia Through Tiana Tangulu And Dance

• 10 minutes: Post-Viewing– Sharing Observations and Deepening the Discussion

• 30 minutes: Demonstration–Observing, Comparing, and Analyzing the 5 Polynesian Island Dances

• 50 minutes: Making Connections: Arts Integration Project– Let's Dance! The Hawaiian Hula and Tahitian Ori

Launch Activity–Pre-Viewing: An Introduction to Polynesia (Geography & Affiliation with the United States)

[15 min]

[Learning Intention 1]

Procedures:

1. Hook: What comes to mind when I say the word “Hawaii?”

Acknowledge answers: surf, beach, palm trees, white sand, warm, humid, Aloha, Hula dancers, grass skirts, Ukulele. Ask students where their ideas of Hawaii might have come from?  Mention that Hawaii is a big tourist destination for Americans and that is what most Americans think of when we think of Hawaii, but Hawaii and the indigenous Hawaiian people have a complex and rich culture, history, and traditions that many don’t know about. 

*NOTE. If there are Pacific Islanders (both American born or born on the islands) in the class you might get more in-depth answers and acknowledge those as beyond what the typical American knows about Hawaii.

2. Ask Students: Can anyone name the traditional Hawaiian dance? Hula  What do you know about Hula? Acknowledge responses and tell them we are going to learn a lot more about Hula and how the dance is like a language where the movements tell a story of island life. Hula can be about anything including food, human relations, nature such as wind, trees, or ocean waves, etc. 

3. Tell Students: Show students a map (Map: Polynesia_Triangle)  Polynesia is often referred to as the Polynesian Triangle for the shape created by the layout of the islands in the Pacific Ocean.  Point out Hawaii. Hawaii is one of 5 major Polynesian Islands we are going to focus on in this Unit. It was invaded in 1893 by the United States who overthrew the monarchy, which at that time was ruled by a queen.  Hawaii went from being its own sovereign monarchy to being seized  to become a US Territory. In 1959,  it became the 50th state of the USA. It was the last state to become part of the union, right after Alaska, which became the 49th state that same year.  This is how Americans came to know the pacific island of Hawaii, whereas most Americans don’t know much about the other neighboring Polynesian islands. Ask students if they can name any other Polynesian islands. 

4. Tell Students: Here is another map (Map: Polynesia_5) Polynesia (a Greek word meaning many islands) is made up of more than 1,000 islands (not all represented on this map) and we will be focusing on 5 major ones: Hawaii, Tahiti, Tonga, Samoa, and New Zealand. The indigenous peoples of the biggest Polynesian island, New Zealand, are the Maori (pronounced: mau-ree)  All Pacific Island languages are closely related and they have many cultural practices and traditions in common, including dance as a major cultural element.  But each island has unique characteristics as well, including their dances that speak their history, beliefs, and traditions. We can learn a lot about the people of each island through their dance. 

While Viewing: Discovering Polynesia Through Tiana Tangulu And Dance

[30 min]

[Learning Intentions 2,4]

Procedures:

1. Tell Students: We are going to watch two videos, the first one introduces our thought leader, Tiana Tangulu, and the second video teaches us about 5 polynesian islands through dance.

2. Read the Unit introduction to students (above).

3. Read this module introduction to students: Award winning Utah-born Polynesian dancer, Tiana Tangulu founded Traditions Elevated, a Utah-based organization that uses dance to generate a contemporary interest in Polynesian culture, history and traditions. Tiana takes us on a personal journey of how dancing as a child, and reconnecting with it as an adult has not only helped her better understand herself, but has strengthened her ties to her mother, her daughter, the local community, and to an ever-growing worldwide community of social media followers who connect to Tiana and her dancing, and who appreciate her vision of using dance to build a diverse, multicultural community. 

4. Play Video I: Meet Tiana Tangulu Discuss. Reiterate that Tiana’s mother, Tanya, is Samoan and Japanese and Tiana’s daughter, Tiara, is part Tongan. They all live in Utah. For Tiana,  identity and how she identifies as an American, a Utahn, a Samoan and now Tongan through her daughter, has played a big role in her life. The mix has been conflicting at times, but more so has added richness to her life. Her journey from feeling like an outsider to realizing there are no outsiders was the impetus to start Traditions Elevated as a way to open doors and embrace diversity and acceptance; inviting us all to the dance. 

5. Tell students: As you watch the second video: Studying & Comparing Polynesian Islands Through Dance, jot down what you learn about the 5 Polynesian islands, (Hawaii, Tahiti, Samoa, Tonga, and New Zealand) including what you learn about their dances.

Post-Viewing: Sharing Observations and Deepening the Discussion

[10 min]

[Learning Intention 4]

Procedures: 

1. Ask Students: 

   1. Now, when I ask you what you know about Hawaii, what can you add?

   2. After watching the dances clips in the second video, what can you tell us about the other 4 Polynesian islands: 

      1. Tahiti

      2. Samoa

      3. Tonga

      4. New Zealand (Maori)

2. Tell students that to learn more about these Pacific Island people we are going to take a closer look at their dances.

Demonstration: Observing, Comparing, and Analyzing the 5 Polynesian Island Dances

[50 min]

[Learning Intentions 3, 4]

Procedures:

1. Tell Students: As Tiana said in the video, all the Pacific Island languages are closely related and the islands have many cultural practices and traditions in common, including dance as a major cultural element.  However,  each island has unique characteristics, including their dances that speak their unique history, beliefs, and traditions. We can learn a lot about the people of each island through their dance. 

2. Tell Students: You are going to be ethnographers and do some ethnographic research.  Ethnography is an anthropology term (anthropology means the study of humans). You are going to examine a cultural phenomena, in this case dance, and through your observations document what dance teaches us about the people of these 5 Pacific islands.  

3. Pass out the Comparing Polynesian Danceshandout.

4. Tell Students: We are going to watch video clips of dance from 3 of the 5 islands: Samoa, Tonga, and New Zealand (Maori). Tiana will teach us dance from Hawaii and Tahiti in the arts integration activity later in this unit so we will skip those two islands for now. As you watch, jot down your observations. Things to note may include:

   1. Is the dance slow and calm or fast and energetic?

   2. Who is performing the dance? 

   3. What is the context? What is the decor? What are the performers wearing?

   4. What are the dancers’ expressions?

   5. What is the message of the dance? Is it obvious or more subtle? 

   6. What are their feet and hands doing?

   7. Is there music, singing, drums, etc?
      

5. Play the following clips. Each clip is accompanied by a short explanation that you can choose to read to students before they watch the clip. 

6. Samoa: 

The ‘Taualuga” is a traditional Samoan dance, and the centerpiece of the culture of Samoa. Traditionally, the Taualuga is performed by the son or daughter of a chief. The daughter of a High Chief in a village is known as a ‘Taupou.” Traditionally, she is raised from youth in the art of hospitality, cultural rituals and ceremonies, and the fine arts of dancing, the pinnacle of which is the Taualuga dance. The male equivalent is known as the "Manaia." He can perform the Taualuga if the High Chief had no daughters, but the performance of a chief's son is often in jest; a Manaia's performance is not held to the same strict standards of elegance and refinement required of a Taupou and does not hold the same socio-cultural significance.  PLAY Samoa Dance Clips (4:25 min)

2. Tonga: 

The next video demonstrates 2 of the 6 genres of Tongan dance. The first clip is the Lakalaka dance (Lakalaka means to step briskly or carefully). Often considered Tonga's national dance, Lakalaka was developed in the 19th century, and is a blend of choreography, vocals and instruments.  It is performed by large groups numbering up to several hundred people. The men dance in rapid and energetic movements, while the women execute graceful dance steps coordinated with elegant hand gestures. Both groups clap and sing as they move, and a chorus often provides vocal accompaniment. The Lakalaka reflects the socio-political system in Tonga and is danced by communities for celebrations such as the coronation of the monarch and anniversaries of the constitution.  

The next clip is of the Tau'olunga. This is a dance for single young women, especially for them to show off on their wedding day, but can be danced at any special occasion. It is often performed by a small group of girls, up to 10 or so, but can also be performed individually. It is rare to see a man perform the dance, but he can mimic the dancing girl's movements in an exaggerated manner to make her beauty more striking by comparison. Note the Tongan head tilt and raised eyebrow that is unique to this Tongan dance. (The Samoans also have a head tilt but it is slightly different.) PLAY Tonga Dance Clips (2 min)

3. New Zealand (Maori): 

One Maori tradition is Maori stick games, (Tī tī tōrea) which consist of the rhythmic throwing and catching of sticks from person to person. Traditionally boys and young men used this game to increase dexterity and alertness, while girls and young women used the game to build skills for dancing. 

‘Haka’ are a variety of ceremonial dances in Māori culture. Known as a 'war challenge' or 'war cry' in Māori culture, the Haka was traditionally performed by men before going to war. The aggressive facial expressions were meant to scare the opponents, while the cry itself was to lift their own morale and call on God for help to win.  Women perform a dance called the Poi Dance using poi balls that are basically little drums used to tell stories, and imitate natural sounds.

Haka are also performed to challenge opponents before matches. In this video you will see a clip from the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, where the All Blacks perform their pre-match tradition in front of the French team. PLAY Maori Dance Clips (2 min)

4. Now that you have noted your observations, note any similarities and differences between the dances in the space provided on your handout. Discuss as a class what you learned about these 3 Polynesian islands through their dances. 

5. (Optional) Have students research dance on each of the 3 islands and add at least one new entry for each dance to their comparison chart. Have volunteers share what they found with the class. If they have any questions, encourage them to post their questions to Tiana’s Facebook page.

Making Connections: Arts Integration Project – Let's Dance! The Hawaiian Hula and Tahitian Ori

[50 min]

[Learning Intentions 3,4,5]

HAWAII - Hula Basics (Kaholo, Hela, Ka'o) Instructional Video with Tiana & Tiara Tangulu

Procedures:

1. Put up a map (Map: Polynesia_5) Tell students they are going to learn and practice dances from 2 of the 5 pacific islands: Tahiti and Hawaii.  You might recall we have discussed Hula, the dance from Hawaii that is usually accompanied by chant or song. The name of the Tahitian dance we will practice is  “Heiva Ori”. Ori Tahiti literally means “the Dance of Tahiti” which is danced to drums. The dances come from a long tradition, and every movement helps tell a story about these Pacific Islanders’ beliefs and way of life. 

2. Ask Students: Conjuring up what Tiana and her mom Tanya taught you in the video and what you have learned in this module, how would you explain Hula dance? 

Hula is usually accompanied by chant or song. Ancient hula, danced before Westerners arrived, is called Kahiko. “Hula dance can be about anything. There are hula dances about food. There are hula dances about the sugarcane fields abundant in Hawaii. There are songs about the valleys, the mountains, the rain and the winds, and all of the gods and goddesses that are part of Hawaiian tradition and culture. The many hand motions used represent the words in a song or chant. For example, hand movements can signify aspects of nature, such as the swaying of a tree in the breeze or a wave in the ocean, or a feeling or emotion, such as fondness or yearning

3. Tell Students: Now we are going to watch an instructional video to learn and practice Hula Basics.  Tiana and her daughter Tiara walk you through the steps and then demonstrate it with music. 

4. Pass out the Polynesian Dance Basics  handout. Tell Students: Before we watch the video and practice, let’s review the names of the basic Hula steps you are about to learn: 

5. Kaholo: The most often used hula basic step is called the Kaholo. Sometimes it is referred to as ‘Vamp.’ A Kaholo is a sliding step, rather than lifting the foot as you move. Whether it be side to side, front to back, or diagonally. The basic movement is simple; step together, step touch, and repeat.

6. Hela: In ready position, knees are bent and feet are together. Point the right foot forward, bring it back, then point the left foot forward, and bring it back. Hela can be done in 2 or 4 counts.

7. Ka'o: Sway hips by shifting weight to the right side and lifting left heel. Then shift weight to the left side and lift the right heel. Sways are usually done in 2 or 4 counts.

8. 'Ami: Rotate hips in a circular motion, clockwise or counterclockwise. Bent knees make the 'Ami easier.

9. Have students stand and make sure they have room to follow along with Tiana and Tiara. Play the first instructional video: HAWAII - Hula Basics (Kaholo, Hela, Ka'o). 

10. Ask Students: Now we are going to learn a Tahitian Dance. Conjuring up what Tiana and her mom Tanya taught you in the video and what you have learned in this module, what can you say about Tahitian Dance? 

Tahiti, also known as French Polynesia, is a large section of islands in the South Pacific. Dancing has been a significant part of the Tahitian people's history. Originally, dancing was used in all different aspects of life. Tahitian dancing was used to enthrall a lover, to challenge an enemy, to worship a god, and even for prayer. Each dance was unique, but all of them were important to the people and their way of life. Children start learning to dance in their toddler years, and grow up with it being a part of their daily routine. It is a big part of life for the Tahitian people, much like sports for many Americans. Of the four main styles of Tahitian dance, Ote’a is regarded as the most popular form. It is a fast hip-shaking dance accompanied by drums and no singing. It originated as a male dance but now is danced by both men and women. 

7. Referring to the Polynesian Dance Basics  handout, review the basic Ori steps you are about to practice:

‘Ori Tahiti’ is "the Dance of Tahiti" and the basic movements that we touched on in the video are explained below.

1. Ta'iri Tamau: basic hip sway - side to side movement, this is also called Otamu.

2. Tumami: Rotate hips in a circular motion, clockwise or counterclockwise. This is also called 'ami.

3. Have students stand and make sure they have room to follow and dance along with Tiana and Tiara. Play the second instructional video: TAHITI- Heiva Ori Basics (Ta’iri Tamau, Ami)

4. Get students to give you feedback on how they did? Was it easy, hard, fun? As Tiana mentioned, the movements in these dances reflect an aspect of island life. 

   1. What do you feel you were communicating through the Hula dance?

   2. Was there one island dance that spoke to you more than the others? Explain.

   3. What are your thoughts about learning about a culture through their dance? 

5. Have students add their observations to the Hawaii and Tahiti columns on their  Comparing Polynesian Dances handout and add to their ‘similarities and differences’ analysis at the bottom. 

6. Tell students they can follow Tiana on social media (TikTok, Facebook, Instagram) The links are in the "Dig Deeper" section. And they can get involved by joining the Hula Club and more. 

Invite students to “dig deeper” on these topics by providing additional options for research and reflection on Pacific Island dances and the history and culture it conveys.  

Invite students to “dig deeper” on these topics by providing additional options for research and reflection on Pacific Island dances and the history and culture it conveys.

Music

• “My Little Grass Shack” Amy Hanaiali’i Gilliom & Willie K

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQZpnW2i1rU

Social Media 

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TraditionsElevated/

• Tik Tok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@test.01.tnt

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/traditions_elevated/

Events

• Hula Dance Club: Held at Utah Cultural Celebration Center every Wednesday. Check their Facebook page for more details. 

Videos

• 20 Dance Styles From Around the World - Though the evolutionary answer of humans’ ability to dance is still unknown, it is clear today that dance is innate in all of us. Dance today is a very integral part of our society, from viral TikTok routines to primetime shows like Dancing with the Stars…

• Hula Basics

Films

• Taualuga (Documentary, 41:32 min) In Samoa and Tonga one of the most revered dances is the Taualuga -- the dance of life. Check out these tales of the Samoan Taualuga and Tonga Tau'olunga from 5 very different people in the Pacific.

• Moana- Moana is a 2016 American computer-animated musical action-adventure fantasy film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios. It takes place on the Polynesian island of Motunui. 

• Lilo & Stitch- Lilo & Stitch is a 2002 American animated science fiction comedy-drama film produced by Walt Disney. It takes place on the island of Kaua’i and is about a Hawaiian girl named Lilo Pelekai, and the extraterrestrial creature Experiment 626, who is adopted by Lilo as her "dog" and renamed "Stitch".