Tikis are a word from Māori culture, frequently used to refer to wooden (or sometimes stone) carvings of humanoids made by Polynesian cultures. In actual Māori culture, "Tiki" refers to the first man created by the gods, hence the word being affiliated with humanoid figures. They are frequently featured in the Jungle Cruise's mythos and property due to their appropriated images being a cornerstone of American, "Tiki Culture" which largely influenced Adventureland, namely via Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room.
Description[]
Tikis in modern-english refer to wooden or sometimes stone representations of humanoids made by or in the style of Polynesian cultures.
History[]
Origins[]
"Tiki" refers to the first man of Māori myth who was created by the gods, though by whom and how varies by story. Tikis are traditionally depictions of the mythological tikis. Around the late 1930s, the word was bastardized by Americans (mainly for the tourism and Hollywood industries) to refer to a romanticized depiction of Polynesia. This was popularized by the early, "Tiki culture" motif popularized by Don's Beachcomber, an establishment in Hollywood run by American man Ernest Raymond Beaumont Gantt AKA Donn Beach (1907-1989).
Tiki Culture[]
In World War II, many American soldiers spent time in the South Pacific and following the war they would claim and subjugate much of Polynesia. This occupation lead to an increased exoticism regarding Polynesia which blended cultural-appropriation with propaganda for the US military and tourism industries. The Walt Disney Company participated in this trend with notable examples being the 1966 comedy film Lt. Robin Crusoe USN, Annette Funicello's 1960 album HawaiiAnnette, and the Disneyland attraction Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room.
Jungle Cruise appearances[]
Attractions[]
Adventure Trading Company[]
The Adventure Trading Company's Tiki Mask Juju was made in the likeness of Rongo from the Tiki Room. Characters such as "Tiki" Teemu Ojanen, "Tiki" Kiki Serbano and "Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki" Tyler had the word tiki in their names.
Big Game Safari Shooting Gallery[]
Three tikis were part of the jungle landscape which guests shot at, playing the roles of big-game hunters.
Jungle Cruise[]
The Liki Tikis were tiki gods designed by Marc Davis as photo-op tikis placed alongside the Jungle Cruise before being moved. In Disneyland's Jungle Cruise, Rosita can be seen in possession of a Tiki Mask at a Jungle Navigation Company dock.[1] Various tikis are also visible from across the riverbed in this scene.[2]
Liki Tikis[]
This attraction is themed towards large tiki gods spraying water.
Skipper Canteen[]
In the canteen's library are the books Tiki, Tiki, Tikis of the South Pacific by B. Baker and Songs of the Tiki Bird by Prof. Boag.
Trader Sam's[]
These bars have a, "Tiki Culture" gimmick along with serving and selling tiki-themed ceramic mugs.
Tropical Imports[]
A monkey tiki from the Tiki Room is on the rooftop and a totem-like tiki marks the entrance.
Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar[]
This bar has tiki in the name along with various Tiki Gods and assorted tiki art being scattered throughout the establishment.
Trader Sam's Grog Grotto[]
Tropical Hideaway[]
Other connections[]
Disney's Polynesian Village Resort[]
Many tikis can be found throughout this resort, including those from the Enchanted Tiki Room. One of the resort's gift-shops is, "BouTiki" which has tiki sculptures throughout its premises.
Mystic Manor[]
Lord Henry Mystic's, "Tribal Arts" chamber contains various tikis who are brought to life by the Balinese Music Box and attempt to murder his pet monkey Albert.
Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom[]
Tiki totems in the Enchanted Tiki Room appeared alongside Merlin in the mission themed to the Emperor's New Groove.
Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room[]
Tikis are found throughout this attraction which has tiki in the name. Totems of tiki faces sing alongside animate tiki drummers. In the pre-show are animated Tiki God sculptures.
