The dancer wears a
holoku—a formal 19th century dress with a long train—and
traditionally dances barefooted. The painting suggests the flowing, graceful
movement of the dance by superimposing several images of the dancer as she
moves from side to side and slowly forward. Early missionaries promoted the
wearing of the mu'umu'u, a loose sack-like dress. The more formal holoku
was worn on special occasions. It is still a tradition; annual holoku balls are
held with prizes for the most outstanding designs.
The dancer is
wearing a fragrant green maile leaf lei.
Page 7, Voyagers
Link to on-line publication of Ancient Hawai'i
