Saturday, July 30, 2016

Valuing The Tiki Lifestyle

By Kevin Lewis


When was the last time you remember truly thinking about a tiki? When was the last time you remember seeing one? If they are commonly found in a given area, tikis can be largely ignored. They almost become invisible. That is a bit of a shame for tikis have much to offer. If we can simply allow ourselves a fresh view of them we may find that tikis can truly be a lot of fun, can make your home or living space all the more interesting and give you some measure of happiness and enjoyment.

You might think, "who cares?" Tikis are just decorations some businesses use to dress things up a bit. Actually, unless you really just don't like them (yes, there are some people that don't), there are several reasons.

First, tikis look cool, in a really basic and simple sort of way. True, compared to other kinds of statues, they are pretty crude. It is, however, this very basic simplicity that makes them so cool. Without being as polished as a marble figure from a renaissance master, they still have a very powerful effect. Tikis are part of the Polynesian culture from a long time ago. The thought of those ancient times and what their tikis represented to them really captures the mind.

Polynesian culture is an expansive, rich and fascinating topic, well worthy of study for those so inclined. For our purposes, within the context of this article, suffice it to say that tiki statues represent "First Man." It is generally believed that "First Man," himself a god, was the progenitor of all Hawaiian people. Other deities included the god of war, the god of agriculture, the god of creation and god of the sea. When tiki sculptures were made, the god whose likeness it represented would actually embody the sculpture, if pleased with it, giving good fortune and peace to all people.

Another factor is that tikis can help us vicariously experience the tropics. One doesn't need to live in Hawaii to experience the wonder and beauty of a Polynesian paradise. This vicarious experience isn't limited to just tiki statues, either. Tiki cabins, tiki bars, tiki lights and tiki parties, because of their association with this intriguing and unusual culture, can help bring that paradise into your life.

With so many fun and exciting things going for them, why would anyone ignore them? Why not put a little tiki into your life? All these tiki items seem to be available just about everywhere, and are usually inexpensive.

For those do-it-yourselfers among you, most tiki themed items are not that hard to make. Even tiki statues and tiki huts can be made, although they might require a bit more time and energy.

For those not quite so ambitious, a tiki party may be an easy and fun way to start. Usually tiki party items are cheap, easy to get and give you a lot of "bang for the buck."

Hopefully some of these ideas will help you think about tikis with new appreciation. Good luck, and consider adding a bit of tiki to your life.




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