Isla de Pascua - Easter Island - Rapa Nui

 

 
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Through the XVI century and as result of a combination of excessive exploitation of the environment and natural catastrophe, the Rapa Nui society goes into a deep environmental, cultural and social crisis. This culminates in the end of the megaliths and in the emerging of a new political and religious order, which center is moved to the Ceremonial Village of Orongo, emerging at the same time the worship to the creator God Make-Make. The warrior leaders, Matato'a, ascend to the power through the annual ceremony of the Bird-Man or Tangata Manu, being the village the scenario of this ceremony from 200 years. This competition is estimated to be bade until 1886-1887 when it disappeared due to the diverse extern impacts. The last chosen warrior was Rukunga. The ceremony Tangata Manu is carried out in Orongo, a village located in the southwest edge of the Ranu Kau crater. From there you can see the islet Mou Nui, Motu Iti and Motu Kao where the Manutara arrived to nest each spring (Gaviotín Apizrrado, Stema fuscata or Gaviotín Pascuense, Stema lunata).

The culminating moment of the competition was to get the first egg of that bird. The parties and celebrations began on July when the participants set up by the volcano, in Mataveri. In September, priests, candidates and dominant clans climbed in procession to Orongo. The priests had a special place in Mata Ngara. Songs, offers and dances for the fertility were directed to the Gods Make Make and Haua, who have brought the birds of Motu Motiro Hiva (Sala and Gomez Islands). The representatives (Hopu Manu) of each candidate in competition descended by the cliff, they swum until the Motu Nui on Totora (Pora) floats and waited in the caves and houses of the islet to get the first egg. The winner announced its success from the rock Puku Rangi Manu, and when going back with the egg out of danger, gave its chief the honor of being invested as Tangata Manu during one year. Its team obtained economic privileges and rituals of which they generally abused, promoting continuous intertribal fights, revenges human sacrifices and cannibalism. The new and sacred Human-Bird was then shaved and painted white and red. After that, holding the Ao, he descended in a triumphant procession to mataveri. Only with the attendance of a priest, the Tangata Manu was recluded for months in the Rano Raraku, if his clan belonged to the southeast confederacion (Tu'u Hotu Iti), or in Anakena if he belonged to the northwest (Tu'u Aro). The egg obtained was put over his house representing the Mana that would make more abundant the scant food. Other place associated with the ceremony is the cave Ana Kai Tangata, which roof is decored with paintings representing the Manutara. The name of the cave makes reference to the story of the ceremony.

Information taken from the leaflet Orongo of CONAF, José Miguel Ramirez, Claudio Gomez and Antoinette Padget.

Rano Raraku
Known as the Moai manufacture. In this place you can find about 400 statues in different moment of construction and transport, activity that seems to have been abandoned from one day to the next without existing until now a worthy explanation of this event.
Ahu Moai
Through the whole Island are about 300 platforms or altars called ahu, most of these have been destructed by the human, animals and natural elements. In this outstand places as Vaihu, Akahanga, Heki'i Raai, Te Peu and Vinapu, where you can observe statues, rests of human settlements (houses, caves, burners and hen runs), besides places of farming and ceremonial ones.
Ahu Tongariki
This place has been recently restored by the archaeologist Claudio Cristino, here you can notice 15 standing statues of different construction periods. On an impressive natural beauty frame, this place, near Rano Raraku, forces the visitors to get surprised.
Complejo Tahai-Ko Te Riku
This archaeological place is located on the Hanga Roa town and is known as a complete restoration, where it is possible to observe stone houses, hen runs, ceremonial places, three platforms with Moai (Tahai, Vai Uri, Ko Te Riku), besides a pier constructed all by stones.
Ahu Huri a Urenga
Is a restoration located near Hanga Roa, it has a unique statue facing the sunrise, the winter solstice. This astronomical moment marks not only the beginning of the winter season ( tonga ), but also the different tapu (prohibitions) of fishing and other activities in the island.
Ahu Akivi
Archaeological complex restored in 1960 by the archaeologist William Mulloy. You can observe 7 statues looking at the sunset (sea). The tradition tells that these 7 Moai represent the first seven explorers that arrived to Rapa Nui, sent by the Hotu Matu'a king.
Ahu Ature Huki
Is located in the Anakena beach and is the first restoration made during the Norwegian expedition in 1956. It has a statue of anthropomorphic aspect and apparently older than the neighboring platforms.
Ahu Nau Nau
Restoration made by the Rapa Nui archaeologist Sergio Rapu at the end of the 70's. It is located in the Anakena beach. You can observe 7 statues very good preserved, in which are details impossible to see in other Moai, as tatoos, finishing and clothing. During the restoration a Moai eye was found and it is currently exhibited in the island museum.

Information gotten from the Tourism Chamber of Eastern Island www.visitrapanui.cl

 
Playa Ovahe
Ovahe counts on surroundings on cogedor standing out its steep reddish sands and of red stone, in addition its marine bottom and fauna do the ideal place for the lovers of the diving and snorkeling, or also for nude
 
 
 

 

Isla de Pascua - Easter Island - Rapa Nui
Addres: Atamu Tekena s/n, Phone 56-32-2552000 56-9-96193252 56-9-90840192
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www.portalrapanui.cl