Ūlili (Spinning gourd rattle)

Ūlili. Spinning gourd rattle. This musical instrument consists of a small ovoid pūniu (coconut shell) centred between two globular la'amia (tree gourds, Cresentia cujete) all secured through the middle with a wooden rod. The pūniu moves loosely on the rod and is perforated, a fibre cord piercing through it with a small toggle at its end. The pūniu is gripped in the hand and the cord is pulled. This makes the two la'amia on the ends spin and emit a rattling sound due to the ali'i poe (canna seeds) placed in their interior. One la'amia is light brown in colour, the other is medium brown. It is dark brown in colour with a shiny patina. This pūniu is of modern manufacture, but the instrument type is an ancient one. There are hula composed with the 'ūlili used specifically, however these hula are not common today.