Those who answer from inside the hula house
singers · Hawaii · before the 19th century
The people inside a house where hula was taught (a hālau). On hearing the song at the door they answered in song and welcomed the visitor. The song was handed down by word of mouth and its maker is unknown.
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before the 19th century · The song sung from inside in answer to the song at the door. With it, Emerson writes, the door was opened and the visitor was welcomed as an honoured guest.
Call the one outside to come in, and feed him till his mouth can take no more. This is the payment: the voice, only the voice.
E hea i ke kanaka e komo maloko, E hanai ai a hewa waha; Eia no ka uku la, o ka leo, A he leo wale no, e!
The song of welcome (mele komo) · in N. B. Emerson, Unwritten Literature of Hawaii: The Sacred Songs of the Hula (1909)
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