Flower Lei a Tradition of Aloha
Saturday, 21 November 2009 14:32 | 
Written by Alanah Chadwick | 
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Flower Lei a Tradition of Aloha
Lei is a Hawaiian word meaning any adornment worn around the head or about the neck. Poetically, a child is called a lei, because the child is the weaving together of the love of his or her parents and ancestor's. A younger child or sibling was also referred to as a lei because they would be carried on the shoulders with their legs draped down on both sides of the bearer like a leiIn Hawaii everybody wears lei. They are a symbol of Aloha, a token of greeting and a sign of love and friendship. They are worn at parties, dances, graduations and weddings and mark any important event in a persons life. l. While many ancient traditional practices have have faded into the background Lei making has managed to survive and thrive.
Hawaii was first settled by Polynesian seafarers over a thousand years ago. they brought with them a rich culture of of chant, dance and lei making. in the Hawaiian Island they found an abundance of of materials in shells from the sandy shores, forests filled with beautiful flowers, seeds and nuts and exotic birds with fabulous feathers.Certain garlands became associated with chiefly rank, the hula and other religious ceremonies. they were used by the farmer blessing the new crop, the fisherman praying for safety, and the chief chanting in the heiau (place of worship).The ancient Hawaiians excelled in the creation of permanent leis, construed of feathers, ivory, beads, and even teeth. Often, these leis were an emblem of ali'i (Royalty). The most skilled lei makers became celebrated and honored members of the community.
When Captain James Cook arrived in 1778 along with him came the introduction of Western culture and religion throwing Hawaiian society into turmoil. The traditional ceremonies like hula were discouraged and the art of lei making went into Delcine. New insects and pests devastated the flowers used for lei making and and the indigenous birds whose feathers were used for capes and lei vanished from the cleared forests.
Hawaiian Traditions made an official comeback when the 'Merrie Monarch' King Kalakaua came to the throne in 1874. He threw lavish Luau ( a Hawaiian Feast ) brought back the Hula and adorned his guests with beautiful fragrant lei. During his reign men and women wore lei as part of their everyday attire.
One of the most widely used plant for lei making is the Maile a member of the periwinkle family that grow throughout Hawaii although each island is known for a particular variety. It's leathery leaves give off a vanilla - like fragrance, it was used as a peace offering on the battlefield and was the lei of all people, all classes, and all occasions To make the lei the leaves and bark are stripped free from the woody stems and are twisted or knotted together and hung open ended around the neck and shoulders. Maile is sacred to Laka, Goddess of the hula. A lei worn in a hula was reserved for the Goddess and never given away. Today maile lei are worn at nearly every public or private function, afterward they are taken home and draped over mantel, picture frames and doorways as well as being used for dedication ceremonies for all manor of buildings and business. The maile are not cut but are carefully untied
Today in Hawaii, leis are presented around the head and shoulders of a special person. Presenting a lei signifies admiration, respect and honor to wards the individual.Thy celebrate special occasions and special moments in someone's life. In Hawaii any occasion can be special even buying a new car has been celebrated with a lei for all the family and one for the car too! Create your own traditions and allow the loving spirit of Aloha to to touch the special moments in your life.
© Alanah Chadwick 2008
Last Updated (Wednesday, 25 November 2009 16:30)