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Tiki Torches and Tropical Tales

4/23/2014

3 Comments

 
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Just imagine lighted tiki torches leaning slightly in the sand, flickering brightly against the night sky filled with stars. Beach chairs sitting storytellers and listeners -facing each other in a circle with distant waves, and palm trees swaying in the trade winds telling those tales from the islands of the world.

OK, we live in the hill country of Texas made up of oaks, cedar, cactus, and limestone with a pinch of soil to hold it all together. These tropical dreams come often to me and the tales just make it happen! We lived on the island of Oahu, Hawaii for almost three years when Dad was stationed at Hickam AFB. I was a preteen enjoying the island life. We loved visiting the Polynesian Cultural Center mainly because of the Hawaiian Tutus (grandmothers)  telling stories of Pele, the Volcano Goddess, Kama Pa'a, the Pig God, the Menehunes of Hawaii (little people), and Maui the Fisherman. 

Islands in the tropics are also known for their spooky tales. It's been said that telling frightening stories causes those goose bumps to rise on your skin, actually cooling your body - helpful if you live where it's hot.

Hawaiian and other tropical Favorites for Storytelling

The tiki torches are lit, ocean waves in the distance, toes in the sand, stories waiting to be told! Mahalo.
3 Comments
Mary Grace Ketner link
4/23/2014 01:55:27 am

Oh, Sue! I would love to go to Jeff Gere's Talk Story Festival someday, but Hawai'i would be such a big step for me! Sometime, if you want to go, let me know and I'll build up my courage (and start saving my money!)

Reply
Sue Kuentz link
4/23/2014 03:52:30 am

I read about Jeff Gere's Talk Story Festival while researching this post - I'm game - start saving your money. The worst problem you'll have is saying mahalo to the islands - so desperately hard to leave! Thanks so much for your reply!

Reply
Stephanie Bird link
4/23/2014 02:39:02 am

Sue, I really love how you handled the letter "T". I am also an A to Z blogger for this month. I am a folklorist, very into mythology and scary storytelling. I was aware of the stories of Pele but did not know there was the type of frightening storytelling you mentioned as a tradition, in Hawaii. I love how you mention that those goose bumps might also have a cooling action on the body. Very cool post! I'm glad I stopped by and learned something new today. Thank you!

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