thumb|right|A fragrant lei of fresh pikake ([[Arabian jasmine)]]

A lei () is a garland or wreath, typically consisting of fresh natural foliage, common in Polynesia and the Philippines. More loosely defined, a lei is any series of objects strung together with the intent to be worn. 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.

Lei gained popularity in the United States due to the common practice of presenting one to arriving or leaving tourists in Hawaii. Sampaguita leis are also used in the Philippines for religious reasons, typically worn to their Anito or religious statues.

Symbolism

A lei can be given to someone for a variety of reasons. Most commonly, these reasons include peace, love, honor, or friendship. Common events during which leis may be distributed include graduations, weddings, and school dances.

Crafting

thumb|The Wili method of making leis

The eight most common methods of making lei are:

Haku: three-ply braid incorporating additional materials. 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. Normally used for flowers and foliage with long pliable petioles or stems.

Historical context

Leis were originally worn by ancient Polynesians and some Asian people as part of custom. They were often used by Native Hawaiians to signify their ranks and royalty. The religion of the Native Hawaiians as well as the hula custom is tied into the leis that they wore.

Customs

There are many customs and protocols associated with the giving, receiving, wearing, storing, and disposing of lei. To this day, leis remain a notable aspect of Hawaiian culture. while single flowers or clusters worn in the hair or on the ear are called sei. In Tahiti such garlands are referred to as "hei" and in the Cook Islands they are called an "ei".

Tongans are known for creating unique "kahoa" leis made of chains of flat, crescent or triangular arrangements made of flower petals and leaves sewn onto a leaf or cloth backing. In Niue the iconic lei is the kahoa hihi which made from strings of tiny, distinctively yellow snail (hihi) shells. Many modern Polynesian celebrations include the giving and receiving of leis in various forms, including recent adaptations of the flower/plant lei in which candy, folded currency bills, rolls of coinage, and even spam musubi are tied into garlands. "Non-traditional" materials such as cloth ribbon, sequins, cellophane wrap, curling ribbon, and yarn are often used to fashion leis in various forms today.

Hawaiʻi

thumb|U.S. President Lyndon Johnson wears a lei while visiting Hawaii

Among residents of Hawaii, the most popular occasions at which nā lei can be found are birthdays, graduations, weddings, funerals, retirement parties, and bridal showers. It is not uncommon for a high school or college graduate to be seen wearing so many nā lei that they reach their ears or higher.

On May 1 each year, Hawaiians celebrate "Lei Day", first conceived in 1927 by poet Don Blanding. At the time, Blanding was employed by the Honolulu Star Bulletin, and he shared his idea with columnist Grace Tower Warren, who came up with the phrase, "May Day is Lei Day". The Hawaiian song, "May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii" was composed in 1927 by Ruth and Leonard "Red" Hawk.

At the 81st Annual Mayor's Lei Day Celebration at Kapiʻolani Park in 2008, Honolulu set the record for the World's Longest Lei. Unofficially, the lei measured in length, more than a mile.

Notable Hawaiian artisans of feather lei (lei hulu) making include Mary Louise Kekuewa, and Johanna Drew Cluney.

All of the major islands celebrate Lei Day, and each island is symbolized in pageantry by a specific type of lei and a color.

  • Hawaii: red, ōhia lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha)
  • Maui: pink, lokelani (Rosa damascena)
  • Kahoolawe: gray or silver, hinahina (Heliotropium anomalum var. argentum)
  • Lānai: orange, kaunaoa (Cuscuta sandwichiana)
  • Oahu: yellow or gold, ilima (Sida fallax)
  • Molokai: green, kukui (Aleurites moluccanus)
  • Kauai: purple, mokihana (Melicope anisata)
  • Niihau: white, pūpū o Niihau (Niihau shells)

Philippines

alt=Pink rosette leis worn by Vice President Leni Robredo during a campaign rally in Pampanga, Philippines|thumb|Pink rosette leis worn by Vice President Leni Robredo during a campaign rally in Pampanga, Philippines

The old custom for welcoming guests in the Philippines is by giving a flower necklace made of sampaguita, the country's national flower. However, in the recent years, more affordable options has emerged. This became popular over time as fresh flowers are hard to maintain especially during long events. One of the popular modern option are rosette leis, it is made of Brocade cut into necklace of various designs and a center piece flower petals made of satin ribbon.

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File:Prince Alexander Liholiho with leis.jpg|Prince Alexander Liholiho wearing a lei garland

File:Queen Emma wearing lei pupu o Niihau.jpg|Queen Emma is wearing multiple strands of lei pūpū o Niihau

File:Hawaiian lei venders, c. 1901.jpg|Hawaiian lei vendors, c. 1901.

File:Kukui nut lei.jpg|Young hula dancers wearing kukui nut lei in preparation for a performance on Molokai.

File:Canoe lei.jpg|Lei of plumeria flowers and umi'umi-o-dole (Spanish moss) on an outrigger canoe at a blessing.

File:Flower wreaths (Cook Islands).jpg|Lei for sale in the Cook Islands

File:2017 Pacific Islands Forum Opening Ceremony (36867027022).jpg|Delegates at the 2017 Pacific Islands Forum

File:Gg-visit-cook-islands-pacific-visits-formal-ariki.jpg|Anand Satyanand and Lady Satyanand wear lei while visiting the Cook Islands

File:Gg-visit-cook-islands-pacific-visits-pm-cook.jpg|New Zealand Governor General and members of the Cook Islands cabinet wear lei at a meeting.

File:Labour-Pacific-Launch-21 (36689535431).jpg|Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern and Pasifika Members of Parliament wear lei at an event.

File:Royal Tongan Wedding of 1976.jpg|Royal Tongan Wedding of 1976

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See also

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References

Sources

  • "Finding a lei-making class in Hawaii" Featured article in the Los Angeles Times.

Further reading

  • History of the Lei
  • Na Lei o Hawai`i (archived 8 December 2012)
  • Lei History (archived 8 December 2015)
  • Leis over time
  • Photo Gallery from Lei Day (archived 26 August 2007)
  • The Feather Lei A story by Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi about the art of feather lei making in Hawaii. Published by Maui No Ka 'Oi Magazine Nov/Dec 2009 (archived 12 November 2009)
  • Leis in the Philippines