ABOUT HAWAIIAN IPU GOURD DRUMS
"I le'a ka hula i ka ho'opa'a."
The hula is pleasing because of the drummer.
-Hawaiian Proverb
Ipu provide rhythm and sound for the chant and dancers of Hawaiian hula. The chanters and drummers are called ho'opa'a. Dancers also will play the ipu while doing hula steps and chanting.
"Hula is the language of the heart and therefore the heartbeat of the Hawaiian people."
King David (Kâwika) La`amea Kalâkaua
King Kalakaua was also Known as the "Merrie Monarch".
Hawaiian ipu gourds (Lagenaria siceraria) are used as tools, musical instruments, and in ceremony in Hawaii, and in other locations around the world. Ipufarm.com specializes in the cultivation and production of fine ipu heke and ipu heke 'ole. Today, due to the introduction of various invasive insects, gourds do not grow as well in Hawaii as they used to. Thus, many Hawaiians get their gourds from California or Arizona.
All of the ipu gourds grown at by IpuFarm are cultivated from seed to harvest with true Native aloha. We grow our ipu at our Southern California Indian reservation home, which is the perfect climate for ipu growing. Because of this, our farm produces colors and markings unparalleled by other gourd farms. Although we are currently working on expanding the number of Native ipu growers, when large orders are processed, we may go to other organic gourd farms in the area to keep up with volume. Our process for cultivation and production of the Hawaiian ipu gourds has been handed down to us from our kupuna, and we continue to use these techniques to bring you the best sounding and most beautiful ipu available.
The two main types of ipu used in hula are: ipu heke and ipu heke 'ole. A hole is then carved in the top ipu for acoustics.
Ipu heke is a double gourd made by taking two gourds of different sizes, cutting them and joining them at the necks, with the smaller one on top.
Ipu heke `ole is made from a single gourd cut across the top.
Premium Ipu seeds are also available along with growing tips.
View historical images of ipu heke. Great archival photos!
PIFA 09 photos at our booth with kupuna Dolly Crawford.
 HOW TO MAINTAIN YOUR IPU: Gourd Care
Notes on Gourd Care and Maintenance from Anne Blankenship of The Gourd Connection...
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