is this what tiki culture is becoming? if so are you ok with it? - General Tiki

VD Voodoo Devil Member Ridgefield, CT Joined: Jun 28, 2011 Posts: 9	VD Voodoo Devil Posted posted on Fri, Aug 19, 2011 5:09 PM Ok fine, I'm obviously horrified by the video on a few levels. But I'm confused by what exactly is in question here... Is someone setting up a panel of judges that decides on acceptable "Tiki Culture" participants and products? Are there repercussions for such criminals? Whether you or I think a Tiki enthusiast's actions and works are appropriate to the original germ idea of Polynesian Pop is mostly pointless since we have little control over what people do, and considerably less control over what they like. Trying to bring back a magic moment from the past that some other people decided was the "right way to play Tiki" is not something that can be forced on the general public. Culture is fluid. Humans are allowed to interpret and create and change, and that's not meant to be an excuse! It's simply.. well, normal. I find history important and fascinating, and I happen to love the original, vintage celebration of Tiki from the 1930's thru the 1970's. That's where I spend most of my concentration and energy, and I appreciate every source and relic that's available to me because they teach me and expose me to things that I love learning about. I'm not sure the 1960s tiki restaurant goers had the same interest level that we do now. It seems pretty obvious that their inspiration had little to do with learning anything. In fact maybe they'd think what WE do today is a colossal waste of time! haha So who's to judge? And what good does it do? I understand that Voodoo is not part of pure Tiki. But I use it as part of my name here for a few reasons that are meaningful to me... not the least of which is because I like it. :) Maybe that's an example of this "watering down of Tiki Culture" business. But I don't see the harm in it on that level. Tell me if you disagree. So.. uncover new artifacts. Make more resources available to anyone interested. Develop social groups. Celebrate it the way YOU want to. And maybe you should just ignore those who you feel are doing it allll wrong? They tend to go away when they don't get the attention or affirmation they seek.

Ok fine, I'm obviously horrified by the video on a few levels. But I'm confused by what exactly is in question here...

Is someone setting up a panel of judges that decides on acceptable "Tiki Culture" participants and products? Are there repercussions for such criminals?

Whether you or I think a Tiki enthusiast's actions and works are appropriate to the original germ idea of Polynesian Pop is mostly pointless since we have little control over what people do, and considerably less control over what they like. Trying to bring back a magic moment from the past that some other people decided was the "right way to play Tiki" is not something that can be forced on the general public. Culture is fluid. Humans are allowed to interpret and create and change, and that's not meant to be an excuse! It's simply.. well, normal.

I find history important and fascinating, and I happen to love the original, vintage celebration of Tiki from the 1930's thru the 1970's. That's where I spend most of my concentration and energy, and I appreciate every source and relic that's available to me because they teach me and expose me to things that I love learning about. I'm not sure the 1960s tiki restaurant goers had the same interest level that we do now. It seems pretty obvious that their inspiration had little to do with learning anything. In fact maybe they'd think what WE do today is a colossal waste of time! haha

So who's to judge? And what good does it do?

I understand that Voodoo is not part of pure Tiki. But I use it as part of my name here for a few reasons that are meaningful to me... not the least of which is because I like it. :) Maybe that's an example of this "watering down of Tiki Culture" business. But I don't see the harm in it on that level. Tell me if you disagree.

So.. uncover new artifacts. Make more resources available to anyone interested. Develop social groups. Celebrate it the way YOU want to. And maybe you should just ignore those who you feel are doing it allll wrong? They tend to go away when they don't get the attention or affirmation they seek.

Post #603212 by Voodoo Devil on Fri, Aug 19, 2011 5:09 PM