concession to tradition.

[Page 31]

V--CEREMONIES OF GRADUATION; DEBUT OF A HULA DANCER

CEREMONIES OF GRADUATION

The _ai-lolo_ rite and ceremony marked the consummation of a
pupil's readiness for graduation from the school of the halau
and his formal entrance into the guild of hula dancers. As
the time drew near, the kumu tightened the reins of
discipline, and for a few days before that event no pupil
might leave the halau save for the most stringent necessity,
and then only with the head muffled (_pulo'u_) to avoid
recognition, and he might engage in no conversation whatever
outside the halau.

The night preceding the day of ai-lolo was devoted to special
services of dance and song. Some time after midnight the
whole company went forth to plunge into the ocean, thus to
purge themselves of any lurking ceremonial impurity. The
progress to the ocean and the return they made in complete
nudity. "Nakedness is the garb of the gods." On their way to
and from the bath they must not look back, they must not turn
to the right hand or to the left.

The kumu, as the priest, remained at the halau, and as the
procession returned from the ocean he met it at the door and
sprinkled each one (_pikai_) with holy water. Then came
another period of dance and song; and then, having
cantillated a _pule hoonoa_, to lift the tabu, the kumu went
forth to his own ceremonial cleansing bath in the sea. During
his absence his deputy, the _kokua kumu_, took charge of the
halau. When the kumu reached the door on his return, he made
himself known by reciting a _mele wehe puka_, the
conventional password.

Still another exercise of song and dance, and the wearied
pupils are glad to seek repose. Some will not even remove the
short dancing, skirts that are girded about them, so eager
are they to snatch an hour of rest; and some lie down with
bracelets and anklets yet unclasped.

At daybreak the kumu rouses the company with the tap of the
drum. After ablutions, before partaking of their simple
breakfast, the c