Post #396463 by Limbo Lizard on Fri, Jul 25, 2008 10:01 AM

On 2008-07-24 07:05, Pikeys Dog wrote:
Why it would become associated with Tiki?
Who knows...

It's the the Shriner connection. Shriners (and Masons, in general) use lots of symbols and icons adopted from North African and Near Eastern Muslim areas (Morocco, Egypt, Turkey, etc.). Apparently, this recalls elements of that culture adopted by the Templar Knights, during their sojourn in Palestine, Syria.
Shriners do a great deal of good with their hospitals for children, but they became legendary for their playful spirit and their hi-jinx at conventions.
The fez has entered tiki culture as another sort of symbol of otherwise serious and respectable businessmen-types letting their hair down, 1950's style. Shriners at an out-of-town convention, or visitors to a "Polynesian Palace", both enjoyed exotic cultural artifacts and symbolism, drinking, playful naughtiness, freedom from propriety and rules, etc.

I took a picture of a display case with a fez from each of the 190-odd Shrines:

Wouldn't you love to have this one, for tiki purposes?