By Brittany Howlett
With
the Toronto Vintage Society’s TIKI LANI LANAI event coming up on
August 29th, you might be wondering: what IS Tiki? How did it become such an obsession? Where did Tiki
culture come from?
Fear
not, dear TVS reader, we’ve got all your answers covered! Tiki is more than
just drinking Mai Tai’s out of coconuts at a Luau (well, perhaps it is in its
most watered-down version).
Read
on to discover everything to ever wanted to know about Tiki!
The origins of Tiki
Tiki
is rooted in Polynesian and Maori culture and mythology. ‘Tiki’ means “the
first man” in Maori, and true Polynesian/Maori culture is completely different
from the Tiki culture and lifestyle that boomed in the 1960s.
Ancestors
were worshipped as part of the Maori belief system, and large wooden carvings
with human forms and faces called ki’i were created to honour the gods (similar
to Totem poles). Polynesian people carved the ki’i to resemble their gods, who
they then thought would inhabit the carvings if they were pleasing.
So,
how did we get from ancient carvings to the kitschy Tiki culture we know today?
The American Tiki invasion
Tiki
culture exploded in the United States in the early to mid-20th
century. In the 20s and 30s, as travel became more accessible to affluent
Americans, many took their vacations in the South Pacific. Capitalizing on the
popularity of warm summer island breezes, laid-back lifestyles and tropical
fruit, Hawaiian-themed bars started popping up in the 30s. The end of
Prohibition in 1933 in the U.S. further propelled the onslaught of tropical bar
openings.
One
bar in particular is credited with starting the Tiki bar craze in America: Don’s
Beachcomber Café in Los Angeles. Opened in 1934 by Ernest Raymond
Beaumont-Gantt, who had spent time travelling in the South Pacific, his
Polynesian-themed bar and restaurant, complete with rattan furniture and tiki
torches, drew crowds and celebrities from all over. Along with serving Hawaiian
and Asian inspired cuisine such as Pu pu platters (assortments of meat and
seafood appetizers), he invented his own tropical rum-based cocktails mixed
with fruit juices and gave them exotic names (he claims to have created the
first Mai Tai). The instant success of the Beachcomber, as it was called,
created new competitors who were looking to cash in on the love of all things
Tiki.
Until
the 50s, however, Tiki-themed bars and restaurants were still regular upscale
establishments, and sought to have some level of Polynesian authenticity to
them (even remotely). People were still required to dress up in suits and dresses
to enter and the establishments tended to cater to the wealthy.
The
popularity of Tiki continued to grow and peaked in the 1960s, after young
soldiers who had served in the South Pacific during WWII returned to the US,
bringing with them the memories of tropical beaches, flowers and beauty of the
islands. Along with the addition of Hawaii as the 50th state,
Americans embraced the pop culture version of the easy breezy and colourful
Tiki lifestyle with open arms, and all the kitsch that came with it.
It
wasn’t enough anymore just to go out for a drink or a meal – going to a Tiki
bar or restaurant was an experience. It was the next best thing to getting on a
plane to Maui. People enjoyed dancing to live drum-heavy jazzy Polynesian music,
watching dancing Hula girls and drinking fancy cocktails decorated with fruit
and mini umbrellas out of coconuts and Tiki mask mugs while donning their
favourite Hawaiian shirt. You’d leave at the end of the night with a Lei around
your neck and a souvenir mug in your hand…and a giant Tiki-induced smile
plastered on your face.
Tiki
pop culture spread outward from restaurants and bars into the home. Soon
enough, not only could you buy your own rattan furniture, tiki huts and carved
mugs, but Tiki had permeated culture so much (particularly in California) that
entire apartment buildings and hotels had Tiki themed décor.
The Tiki pop culture phenomenon
Tiki
was everywhere in mid-century America – from furniture, to clothes, to
architecture, to food and beverages. Hosting Tiki-themed parties became a
popular social event. Rattan and bamboo furniture was all the rage, as was
thatched huts and tiki bars for the home. Décor included carved masks, torches,
colourful pillows and throws, palm plants, tropical floral wallpaper and carved
wooden and stone figurines. Tropical music blended traditional Polynesian
instruments with Latin and Asian instruments to create jazzy, exotic sounds
native to nowhere (Martin Denny was particularly popular). Hawaiian shirts, long,
colourfully patterned dresses were worn along with straw hats and leis for Tiki
parties and at Tiki bars. Polynesian design was infused into all facets of
society. Film and television borrowed from Tiki culture heavily (think
Gilligan’s Island). Indeed, during this time, Westernized versions of
Polynesian culture were permanently injected into society: luau’s, hula skirts,
pig roasts, Hawaiian shirts, rum-based cocktails, any recipe involving a
combination of pineapple and ham (hello Hawaiian pizza!)
Downfall and revival
By
the early 1970’s, Tiki was out and disco was in – people put away their leis
and tiki mugs and turned away from the weird and wonderful exotic kitsch they
had enjoyed for decades. But Tiki didn’t die out without leaving a lasting mark
on society.
So
much so, in fact, that there was a Tiki revival a couple of decades later in
the 1990s. Tiki started popping up again
on TV and in films, and suddenly there was a new appreciation for fancy
tropical cocktails and Tiki bars. Perhaps not as popular as it had been as it
was in the 50s, but you can still find plenty of Tiki today if you look. Across
North America, luaus are held at some of the oldest and greatest Tiki bars in
existence; you don’t have to look too hard to find summer pig roasts; and
rum-based cocktails such as Mai Tais have become as much a part of cocktail
culture as a Tom Collins. You can pick
up bamboo furniture and outdoor tiki torches just about anywhere, and new tiki
bars have sprung up all over North America in recent years.
Appreciation
for Tiki is alive and well (if you’re really into it, there’s even a Tiki Oasis convention held every year in
San Diego as well as a 3-day Ohana Luau at the Lake in New York). Vintage
Tiki has also become a thing – now alongside vintage cars and clothes, people
collect Tiki kitsch from days gone by – hula girl figurines, rattan furniture
and carved Tiki mugs. People have realized that Tiki culture, in its weird and
wonderful pseudo-Polynesian/North American form, is worth preserving.
Cocktail culture
Almost
nothing says TIKI like a good Mai Tai or Zombie cocktail. Cocktail culture was
essentially created through Tiki in the 50s, as people began to appreciate the
fine mix of good liquor (especially rum) with tropical juices, decorated with
flowers, twizzle straws and pineapple. Today you can find a solidly made Mai Tai
on almost any drink menu and in craft cocktail bars alongside Manhattans,
Moscow Mules, Black Russians and any other classic drink.
However,
you don’t have to be a mixologist to mix up your own tropical cocktails. Check
out the 4 classic Tiki cocktail recipes below to get you in the hula mood (Tiki
mug and paper umbrellas optional!)
MAI TAI
The
Mai Tai is synonymous with Tiki culture. Two people claim to have created this quintessential
cocktail in the 30s and 40s – Victor Bergeron from Trader Vic’s in Oakland, CA,
and Don the Beachcomber at his namesake restaurant in Hollywood. Whoever the
creator, “Maita'i"
means “good” in Tahitian.
2
oz dark rum
1
oz white rum
1
oz lime juice
½
oz curaçao (or Triple Sec)
¼
oz Orgeat syrup
¼
oz simple syrup
Shake
with ice
Strain
into crushed ice filled (rocks) short glass
Garnish
with fresh mint
Zombie
This
alcohol-heavy yet fruity delight was created by Don the Beachcomber in 1934 and
became popularized at the 1939 New York World’s Fair.
1
oz dark rum
1
oz Jamaican rum
1
oz light rum
1
oz lime juice
½
oz Falernum syrup
1
tsp. grenadine
Dash
of Angostura bitters
Blend
for 5-10 seconds with a bunch of ice
Pour
into a tall glass and garnish with fresh mint
Castaway
This
simple, smooth and easy cocktail will have you dreaming of sunny skies and palm
trees!
2
oz Sailor Jerry (or similar) rum
¾
oz Kahlua
3
½ oz unsweetened pineapple juice
Shake
with ice
Pour
into a tall glass
Garnish
with a swizzle, pineapple chunk and maraschino cherry on pick or cocktail
skewer
Blue Hawaii
Invented
by head bartender Harry Yee of the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki in 1957,
this colourful cocktail goes down a treat!
1
oz Sailor Jerry (or similar) rum
¾
oz Absolute (or similar) vodka
½
oz blue curaçao
3
oz pineapple juice
½
oz lime juice
½
oz simple syrup
Shake
with ice
Pour
into a tall glass
Garnish
with a swizzle and pineapple chunks
Language Lesson: Hawaiian words!
Try
your hand at these common Hawaiian words. Fun fact: the Hawaiian alphabet has
only 13 letters (5 vowels and 8 consonants). English has borrowed a number of
words from Hawaiian, including ukulele;
taboo; hula and muumuu.
Try
these before you get into the Mai
Tais!
Aloha: Used as a greeting or parting, but also means love, affection, kindness and
goodness.
Mahalo: Thank you
Mauka & Makai: Used when giving directions on the islands, Mauka means ‘towards the mountain’
and makai means ‘towards the ocean’.
ʻOhana: Family, but used beyond blood relations to express love and commitment within
communities, work places, etc.
Kamaʻāina: Literally, child of the land. Used to describe any long-term resident of the
Hawaiian islands, regardless of racial background.
Lani: Heavens; Heavenly
Lanai; Balcony or patio.
Lei; A necklace made of flowers, shells, leaves, or kukui nuts. Contrary to most
tourists' expectations, leis are a normal part of Hawaii life for both men and
women. Locals wear them to celebrate special occasions like birthdays or
promotions.
Luau: A
Hawaiian feast
NEXT....Get ready to get your Tiki on!
Now
that you know all about Tiki, you can look forward to some Polynesian fun at
the Toronto Vintage Society’s Tiki Lani Lanai on Saturday August
29th at the Cadillac Lounge!
Get your hula on with some great music
from The Cliff Divers, The Calrizians and Rocket XL5; a hula performance and lesson; Burlesque performances by Aviva The Mirage, Tanya Cheex and Lilla Koi: GoGo exotica by Dolly Berlin; paradise found photo
booth; Vintage swim contest; loudest Hawaiian shirt competition; crowning of the Tiki King and Queen;
authentic Tiki cocktails, and LOTS of prizes!! Don’t miss it!
We are going to take this moment to say a BIG HUGE THANK YOU to Pabst Blue Ribbon Canada and ALL our sponsors for the generous support! Without them we not be able to have these parties and give you all the goodness we have in store!
WRITTEN BY BRITTANY HOWLETT FOR TORONTO VINTAGE SOCIETY
