1. Teacher, Expert, or Master: This is the most common meaning. It refers to a person who possesses significant knowledge, skill, or experience in a particular field. This could be a teacher, a mentor, a master craftsman, or an elder who has wisdom to share.
2. Source, Origin, or Foundation: This meaning emphasizes the role of "kumu" as the starting point, the root, or the basis of something. For example, "kumu mele" could refer to the origin of a chant, or "kumu hula" could be the foundational steps of a hula dance.
3. Teacher of Traditional Arts: This meaning is often used specifically in the context of Hawaiian cultural practices, such as hula, chant, or storytelling. A "kumu hula" is a teacher of hula, while a "kumu mele" is a teacher of chant.
4. Volcanic Crater: This is a less common meaning, but "kumu" can also refer to the crater of a volcano. This usage is related to the idea of "kumu" as a source or origin, as the crater is the point from which the lava erupts.
To understand the specific meaning of "kumu" in a particular context, you need to consider the surrounding words and the overall message.
For example, if someone says "Eia ka kumu o ka ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi," it means "Here is the source of the Hawaiian language." However, if they say "Ua aʻo ʻo ia i ka hula ma ke kumu," it means "They learned hula from the teacher."
Therefore, "kumu" is a versatile and important term in Hawaiian culture, carrying multiple meanings depending on the context.