Purple Lei
Name/Title
Purple LeiEntry/Object ID
E-22Description
A purple dyed lei made from coconut fiber. The purple color is extremely faded: lei has a more brown and black color. White spots are starting to appear on the fibers, while the fibers themselves are starting to fray.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 to very intricate designs.Collection
El Camino College Anthropology MuseumCategory
Ethnography
Acquisition
Accession
95.1.10Ethnography
Cultural Region
Region
PolynesiaContinent
OceaniaCulture/Tribe
Samoan