Post #270917 by bigbrotiki on Wed, Dec 6, 2006 10:09 PM

To answer Premex's question, carvers were in a similar class than the Kahunas, or priests. Maybe not right up there with the holy men, but they had their own traditions and rituals with which they would imbue the wood they were working on. But in old Polynesia, this was the case with many activities that were an act of creation. That's why in old dance ceremonies, sexuality was not hidden, but sanctified: everyday life and spirituality were not separate.
I would say that for today's carvers it is a question of intention that provides their work with mana. If you do it because you are inspired by tradition (authentic OR pop), and want to ad to it and to the beauty in the world, and you do your best at it, that will shine through.
There is no need to resurrect old rituals...but it is interesting.

The Christian/Pagan dichotomy is part of the fascination of Tiki for me, only in opposition with each other if you choose it to be. Tiki fever shows the ability to be open minded and unorthodox, the kind of non-judgmental, Christian spirituality I subscribe to.