Word Origin:
Polynesia comes from a Greek word which means "many islands." It is a term used to group the islands forming a triangle in the eastern Pacific Ocean namely Hawaii, New Zealand and Easter Island.
Polynesian Music:
Early Polynesian music is described as chant-songs, vocal music that is chanted using simple to elaborate melodies. These chant-songs were a part of daily life. When American and European missionaries came, they brought with them a type of music called hymns wherein the melodies are sung by several voice parts; this influenced Polynesian music.
Musical Instruments:
Instruments commonly used in Polynesian music are drums played by hand or by using sticks. An example of this is the slit-drum which looks like a small canoe. Other instruments used are bamboo nose flute,
guitar, gourds, jews harp, rattles, shell trumpet, tapping sticks, pebbles made of lava which are used as
castanets and
ukulele.
Polynesian Dance:
Polynesian dancers are fascinating to watch. The words and melody of the song are illustrated through hand gestures and hip movements. The rhythm of the music may either be slow or fast; the music emphasized by stomping of the feet or clapping of hands. Dancers wear colorful clothes that are native to each island such as grass skirts and leis worn by Hawaiian hula dancers..
Video/Music Sample:
Watch this video of
Sonny Ching from Youtube.
