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Lei hulu, necklace
Unknown
Museum of Ethnography
Stockholm, Sweden
Halsband av gula fjädrar.
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Details
- Title: Lei hulu, necklace
- Creator: Unknown
- Location Created: Hawaii
- Physical Dimensions: 5,5 cm, 77 cm
- External Link: Link to source
- Text till utställningen Avian Allies: Worn as a garland on the top of head or around the neck, Hawaiian craftspeople created lei hulu (feather lei) in a dazzling array of colours. Unlike capes or cloaks, to which feathers were tied on using olonā (Touchardia latifolia) cordage, lei hulu were created by wrapping (wili) small bundles or individual feathers with cord to a base. Some comprise just one colour while others were made using feathers from a variety of birds. During the eighteenth and early nineteenth century, only male ali’i could wear featherwork capes, cloaks and helmets. Female ali’i did not wear such objects but did wear feather lei, either worn around the neck or on the top of the head. During the nineteenth century female royalty began to wear feather capes and cloaks to distinguish their rank and status. Today, featherwork, including the creation of lei hulu, remains a flourishing art form in the Hawaiian Islands.
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