Enjoying The Tiki Lifestyle

By Kevin Lewis


When was the last time you remember actually thinking about a tiki? When was the last time you even remember seeing one? Tikis, especially if you live in an area that has a lot of them, become something taken for granted. Tikis really can offer a bit more than simply being part of the environment. Sometimes looking at things in a different way, you can open your eyes to the idea that tikis can actually be a lot of fun, can make your home or living space more interesting and give you joy in your daily life.

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.

To begin with, tikis look cool, in a fundamental and basic kind of way. It is true that, contrasted with different sorts of statues, they are quite rough. Be that as it may, it is this purposeful roughness that makes them so cool. While not being as pristine and perfect as a marble figure from a renaissance artist, they can have a very powerful impact. Tikis are a part of the Polynesian society from quite some time ago. Those antiquated times and how their tikis were interwoven in their culture truly catches the mind in reverie.

Polynesian society is a wonderfully rich and colorful subject, well deserving of further study for those interested. For this article, in any case, it will be adequate to understand that tiki statues are really artistic representations of the "First Man." The associated mythology held that the "First Man" was himself a divine being, and that all Hawaiian peoples arose from his lineage. There were other divine beings also, commonly including the god of war, the god of agriculture, the god of creation and the god of the sea. When a tiki statue was created, if the god it represented was satisfied, he would actually occupy the statue and give abundant life and peace to the 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 all of the benefits tikis and various aspects of tiki culture have, the phrase comes to mind: "What's not to like?" Why not put a little tiki into your life? Most of the things associated with the tiki lifestyle are easy to get, and usually not too expensive.

For do-it-yourselfers, lots of tiki items can be made. Tiki statues and tiki huts might be a little harder and more involved, but even they can be made if one is willing to take a little time and put in some work.

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 this article will help you reconsider the value and potential of those seemingly ubiquitous elements of Polynesian culture, the tikis. Good fortunes and I hope tikis can help make your days a little brighter.




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