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Internet Mini Essay
The Hawaiian Lei
Nearly every culture has adorned their bodies with their own unique version of some type of lei. The Mayans and the Aztecs had leis of gold and flowers, the Greeks had the olive branch and the laurel crowns, Chinese had the jade jewerly, Hindus had their jasmine and even Christ had his crown of thorns. although, the Hawaiian lei has become a key recognition of the Hawaiian culture and a integral aspect of their history.
The lei was used in the Hawaiians ancient past as a item of respect that denoted their status (1), but since then the use of the lei has expanded and is now commomly used in marriage celebrations and most oftenly used in wellcoming guests.
Leis can be constructed from numerous organic materials such as; ferns, flowers, vines, stems, leaves, nuts, seeds, berries, shells, and teeth (1). Once all the materials have been gathered, the weaver can choose a number of ways to incorporate them, some common techniques follow; Ipu'nu (a knotting method), Hili ( a braiding method with one material), Haku (plaiting with three strands), Wili (winding), and Kui (a stringing method) (1).
Notes:
(1) Krauss, Beatrice, "Plants in Hawaiian Culture," University of Hawaiian Press, 1993.
(2) McDonald, Marie A., "Ka Lei: The Leis of Hawaii," Honolulu, Topgallant Publishing Co., 1978.
Websites:
1. Title: Hawaiian Style Lei
Address: http://freepages.culture.rootsweb.com/~kaelin/lei.htm
Description: This page is a good site explaining the symbolic meaning behind the Hawaiian Lei.
The site also includes a few Hawaiian terms relating to leis and ther function.2.Title: Ka Po'e Kau Lei: An oral history of Hawaii's Lei Sellers
Address: http://www2.soc.hawaii.edu/css/oral_hist/lei.html
Description: This site is good for the personal accounts offered both those formerly on the lei industry
prior to it's commercialization.I highly recommend this site if you are interested in the Hawaiian people
and there culture, though it is a small site.3. Title: Royal Hawaiian Leis
Address: http: //www.royal hawaiianleis.com/new/index.html
Description: This page offers a brief account of the history behind the lei and how it pertains specifically
to the Hawaiian culture. The site explains the impact the lei has had on how Hawaii is seen by other cultures as well.
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last up dated 4/15/02
