Post #573097 by TikiShipman on Mon, Jan 24, 2011 7:55 AM

Thanks guys for all of your answers!

It's really interesting reading the different thoughts on the subject. You have all helped to make clearer for me, how the inspiration for Tiki evolved. From what I've read, It is indeed an "Americanization" of all of those romantic, mysterious, and paradisiacal images that were experienced or imagined from the South Seas. Even though the American Tiki genre was essentially born in California, those pioneers like Don The Beachcomber did create it out of everything he had seen and experienced when he travelled to many islands, so we can't deny the incredible influence of the Pacific islands. Geographically, it looks to me that inspiration came from all of the islands in the Pacific (Polynesia, Micronesia, and Melanesia), and even though Tiki culture is "faux Polynesian style", creating authentic spaces (as in Tiki bars) and embracing all of the art and culture from these islands really does help to create more of a reality, as if we're really there. I say, go visit all of these places and bring back the real indigenous art to decorate your Tiki bars to help create an even more authentic escape.

All of your answers were excellent. Thank you Dusty Cajun for those great vintage photos of Don The Beachcomber's bar. Kalwaza, your answer with the part about the development of stereo sound is an interesting addition to the evolution of Tiki. Chip and Andy, interesting including the Atlantic & The Caribbean; the rum theory does make some sense. You also made me very thirsty, and laugh out loud at your last post, very funny!
MadDogMike, BigBroTiki, and Telescopes, your answers were thought provoking and catalysts for more discussion, and that's why I love these forums.

Feel free to keep the thread going. If you agree with what I'm going on about, great! If not, and you think I've had too much rum and I'm talking out my ying-yang, love to hear your thoughts.

Cheers!

TikiShipman