![]() Traditionalists give a lei by bowing slightly and raising it above the heart, allowing the recipient to take it, as raising the hands above another's head, or touching the face or head, is considered disrespectful.īy tradition, only open lei are given to a pregnant or nursing woman. To this day, leis remain a notable aspect of Hawaiian culture. A story that originated during World War II tells of a hula dancer who dared to give a lei to a US soldier along with a kiss, leading it to become a tradition of lei distribution in modern times. There are many customs and protocols associated with the giving, receiving, wearing, storing, and disposing of lei. ![]() On the first of every May, an event called Lei Day is celebrated to honor the act of lei making and the custom surrounding it. Native Hawaiians, who are Polynesian, brought the tradition of lei making and wearing with them to the Hawaiian islands when they arrived. The religion of the Native Hawaiians as well as the hula custom is tied into the leis that they wore. They are also worn as a form of honor to each other and their gods. They were often used by Native Hawaiians to signify their ranks and royalty. Leis were originally worn by ancient Polynesians and some Asian people as part of custom. These leis are traditionally constructed using natural foliage. Lei may be open or closed, depending on circumstance. A song composed out of affection for an individual is considered a lei. Sometimes base materials such as hala, laʻi, strands of raffia, or even strips of paper are used to make wrapping easier. A method of making a lei by winding fiber around successive short lengths of the decorative material. A corkscrew-type twist, as found in a pig's tail and the seed pod of the wiliwili tree. This method is commonly used to string flowers such as plumeria, rose, carnation, etc. This is probably the style with which most Westerners are familiar. A method of making a lei by sewing or piercing the decorative material with a needle and stringing it onto a thread. Bougainvillea lei and feather hat lei often are made with this method. Each successive row of lei material is overlapped on the previous to create a scale-like effect. A method of making a lei by sewing the decorative material to a backing such as hala, laʻi, paper, or felt. Humu / humuhumu: sew to a backing, usually using a basting stitch. It requires a very long stem on the decorative material. Hipuʻu / nipuʻu: a method of making a lei by knotting the stems of the decorative plant material and stringing the next stem through the knot. The popular and simple lei lāʻī ( tī leaf lei) is made using this method. A method of making a lei by twisting two strands together to form a "rope". Most commonly made from three or more strands of supple vine or fern braided together. Hili: braid or plait with only one kind of material. Normally used for flowers and foliage with long pliable petioles or stems. A method of making a lei by using a base material, such as softened tree bark or long leaves, and braiding it while adding the decorative plant material into each wrap of the braid. Haku: three-ply braid incorporating additional materials. The eight most common methods of making lei are: A lei made using a hala fruit, for instance, is said to be connected to love, desire, transition, and change. Often the composition of a lei determines its significance. Common events during which leis may be distributed include graduations, weddings, and school dances. ![]() Most commonly, these reasons include peace, love, honor, or friendship. Symbolism Ī lei can be given to someone for a variety of reasons. Sampaguita leis are also used in the Philippines for religious reason, typically worn to their Anito or religious statues. Lei gained popularity in the United States due to the common practice of presenting one to arriving or leaving tourists in Hawaii. ![]() Lei of various styles are given as gifts to honour people throughout the Pacific, being presented, for example, to visiting dignitaries, graduates, or to loved ones who are departing. More loosely defined, a lei is any series of objects strung together with the intent to be worn. A fragrant lei of fresh pikake ( Arabian jasmine)Ī lei ( / l eɪ/) is a garland or wreath common in Hawaii, across Polynesia, and the Philippines. ![]()
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