Na Lei Makamae - The Treasured Lei

Lei are the very expression of traditional Hawaiian culture and were once an essential part of community and family life. Following in the footsteps of Samuel Kamakau, Abraham Fornander, and others, the authors have collected here a wealth of written and oral information to reveal the significance of making and wearing lei and their role in Hawaiian ritual and dance. This volume covers eighty-eight flowers and plants (and another dozen color variations) used in traditional lei construction. They are arranged according to their Hawaiian names and accompanied by botanical information and descriptions gleaned from legends and chants that illustrate the cultural uses and special meanings of lei prior to Western contact. Many are introduced by poems written especially for this work by master kumu hula, linguist, and ethnologist Pualani Kanaka'ole Kanahele.

About the author

Marie A. McDonald, ethnologist, educator, and master lei maker, was recognized as a "Master of Traditional Arts" by the National Endowment for the Arts in 1990. Her first book, Ka Lei, remains in print after a quarter century.

Summary

The authors have collected written and oral information to reveal the significance of making and wearing lei - the expression of traditional Hawaiian culture and once an essential part of community and family life. This volume covers 85 flowers and plants used in traditional lei construction.

Product details

• Authors: Marie A McDonald, Marie A. McDonald, Paul R Weissich, Paul R. Weissich
• Assisted by: Jean Cote (Photographs)
• Publisher: University of hawaii press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 31.08.2003
• EAN: 9780824826499
• ISBN: 978-0-8248-2649-9
• No. of pages: 183
• Dimensions: 223 mm x 286 mm x 19 mm
• Weight: 1116 g
• Series: Latitude 20 Book; Latitude 20 Books (Hardcover); A Latitude 20 Book; Latitude 20 Book; Latitude 20 Books (Hardcover)
• Subject: Guides > Hobby, home > Creative design