Yellow and Pink Lei

Name/Title

Yellow and Pink Lei

Entry/Object ID

E-17

Description

A lei of alternating pink and yellow made of coconut fiber. The pink dye of the lei is a hot pink, while the yellow is only slightly faded.

Use

Leis are given to honor people throughout the Pacific. They are presented to visiting dignitaries, graduates, or loved ones who are leaving. They represent peace, love, honor, and friendship. They may often be seen at graduations, weddings, or school dances. What the lei is made out of often determines the meaning of it.

Context

Throughout Polynesia, leis are created and given to decorate that person for emotional reasons, usually affection. They could be used as a greeting, farewell, affection or love, friendship, appreciation, congratulations, recognition, or to draw attention to the recipient. In Samoa, the leis were made of entire flowers, buds, seeds, nuts, plant fibers, ferns, seashells and more. Leis can vary from simple t very intricate designs.

Collection

El Camino College Anthropology Museum

Category

Ethnography

Acquisition

Accession

95.1.5

Ethnography

Cultural Region

Region

Polynesia

Continent

Oceania

Culture/Tribe

Samoan

Dimensions

Length

56 in

Condition

Overall Condition

Good

Notes

White spots are appearing in some places and some of the fibers are starting to fray, but otherwise it is in very sound condition.