In Hawaiian culture, a luau is an important and time-honored event that has deep meaning. In ancient Hawaii, the Hawaiians held great feasts in celebration. These feasts were luaus, and they were held for bountiful harvests, a battle won and other occasions. There were luaus for the birth of a baby as well as for religious reasons. Luaus were once called aha’aina, meaning a feast gathering. They later became called luaus after they were named for the taro plant’s edible leaves. These were the leaves used to wrap up food that would be prepared in underground ovens.
Today, the luau is often a commercial party that is held for visitors to Hawaii, but there are also many of these celebrations that are held for groups and friends and family members. There are luaus for births, anniversaries and birthdays. You may be having a luau in your own backyard, in a rented hall or you may be a guest at someone else’s luau. No matter what the situation, the lei is an important part of the gathering. Everyone who attends a luau can get into the Hawaiian spirit of celebration and honor the traditional meaning behind the occasion when they wear a lei.
The Luau Gathering
There are several activities that make up the traditional luau. The food is one of the most important components. Traditional foods such as a roasted pig is often served. Other dishes are serves alongside it, such as poi, haupia and native vegetables and fruits. Another important aspect is the entertainment. A traditional luau may have singers, dancers or other entertainers to keep the gathering a festive one. In commercial luaus, the entertainment may be fire jugglers and hula dancers. Another part of the luau experience is for everyone in attendance, even the hosts and the entertainers, to wear Hawaiian leis.
When you visit Hawaii, attending a luau is a fun experience that allows you to be a part of a special and valued tradition of Hawaii. Part of this tradition is to wear a lei in celebration of the welcoming embrace of the spirit of aloha. If you throw your own luau, giving leis to all of your guests is an important way to welcome them to the gathering and to make them a part of it. As each guest arrives, present a lei to them by putting it carefully over their heads and positioning it around their necks. As you present each lei, give the guest a cheek kiss to welcome them to your celebration.
Luau leis can be made from just about any of the materials traditionally used to make leis. Flowers, leaves, nuts, berries and feathers can be used in leis for a luau. Many men prefer to wear a maile lei or other masculine lei to luaus. Many women prefer to wear a brightly colored, floral lei with a fragrant scent to a luau. Whichever type you decide to wear, you will certainly feel the spirit of the celebration and the spirit of aloha when wearing this symbolic garland.