‘Ulī‘ ulī

This set of feather-gourd rattles is made by hand in Maui. The gourd itself forms a handle for the feathered head which is both decorative and functional.

These beautiful, naturally colored instruments are most often used in traditional Hula dances. Canna seeds, grown and harvested in and around Maui, are used in this ‘ulī‘ ulī set to give them a distinct sound. Each pod is cleaned by hand.

MIM’s Oceania Gallery presents the images, artifacts, and instruments that are part of the region’s rich musical traditions.

11 x 11 inches