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Painting Desctiptions |
Back to Gallery click here| Moa | Moa 1.50 x 0.90 mt Textures, Acrylic, Quartza Roost or roosters. These birds were brought into the island. The family who possessed them had a higher social standing. Chicken coops with a peculiar shape were built. Those coops had a small entry in which the birds only could get in. The door was a stone of the precise size to prevent robbery. The general size was of an average modern room. Rooster´s feathers were used and are still used to make Pukaos or ornamental head dresses. |
| Hanue Hatu | Nanue Hatu 1.50 x 0.90 mt Textures and Acrylic paints This is one of Rapa Nui's staple food. It is eaten as Pisissihue and also as Nanue Hatu, when it becomes an adult. I recommend it in Tunu Ahí (grilled) and stewed Nanue with maika (banana). There is also a neon yellow Naue Para, being the gray one, the most common one. |
| Orongo / Manu Tara | Orongo/Manu Tara 1.50 x 0.90 Textures and Acrylic paint At the Rano Kau volcano we will find the Rapa Nui’s ancestors ceremonial city, Orongo, where the ancient ritual of the bird man "Tangata Manu" was celebrated. This originated the island’s most relevant celebration, the Tapati Rapa Nui which is still held every year. From Orongo one can see the Motu Nui, Motu Iti and Motu Kao Kao islets. These "motus" are inhabited by several sea birds, the "Manutara" bird among them. Legend says the man who collected the first egg laid by the manutara would become the king of the island for one year; he would become the Tangata Manu. Besides from Orongo and its wonderful view to the ocean, it is highly recommended to visit the crater view point with its impressive setting, where the dare may follow the road down to the crater lagoon. |
| Mamari - Eggs | Mamari - Eggs 1.30 x 1.30 mt Textures and Acrylic Paint The Mamari (egg) of the Manu Tara (Sacred Sea Bird) represented the extension of life since the egg also represented the food required to survive. Besides, the Tangata Manu (Bird Man) competition demanded the physical fitness of its participants. For this reason, the winner of this competition would be awarded not only with the Political Authority but also with the maidens belonging to different clans since he would be demonstrating his superior genetics. |
| Tangata Manu - Bird Man | Tangata Manu - Bird Man 1.0 x 1.0 mt Textures and Acrylic paint The decline of the Rapa Nui Culture was marked by this competition or rite. After the battle among the Hanau E'epe (Long eared, the dominant class) and the Hanau Momoko (Short eared, the dominated class) in the ditch at the Poike volcano slope in which the Hanau Momoko won their freedom they needed to get organized and since survival was a significant part of the goals as a society, they created this competition. It clearly represented the search for food through the Mamari (egg) and the physical superiority through the competition demands. The winner would become the Tangata Manu, a superior man that was physically and spiritually capable of leading his people to survival. |
| Vaka Ama | Vaka Ama 1.50 x 0.90 mt Textures and Acrylic paint Polynesian migrations from island to island, all across the sea were made in big boats commanded by several sailors in which long voyages of several weeks or months could be made. The boats used for limited trips were the vaka-ama, boats with seesaw, which are still common among natives of many Polynesian regions and the far east. The ones for long trips in which a higher cruise speed was required, were equipped with sail, pole, wood oar and stone anchors. They were big boats that could transport whole families with their food, animals and vegetables for their food or future plantations. But the classical ancient boat, for long trips was the double canoe or catamaran which was more stable and had a wider transportation capacity. According to Polynesian traditions it was common, during long journeys, to slip apart double canoes, provide them with seesaw and oar in order to increase their cruise speed. |
| Vaka | Vaka 1.50 x 0.90 mt Textures, Acrylic paint Boat. By means of this abstract shape that represents a boat I wanted to show two symbols that are quite contemporary to the time in which they were sculpted on the stone. For example the Honu (turtle) is drawn over a Moai’s belly and it represents the anchor of a boat with three poles also drawn. The Tangata Manu (Bird Man) is actually carved over a stone at the Ceremonial City of Orongo. This symbol is quite significant in the decline of the Rapa Nui culture. |
| Kahi - Tuna Fish | Kahi - Tuna Fish 1.50 x 0.90 mt Textures and Acrylic Paint Yellow fin and blue fin Kahi are abundant species in Rapa Nui. A culinary delicacy. In ancient times, capturing a big one was a reason to celebrate. Obviously the fisherman and his family were not able of eating so much so one part was donated to the Church and a curanto was organized for all the people to participate. I believe that this particular tradition reflects the Rapa Nui people in its roots. |
| Manutara | Manutara 1.50 x 0.90 mt Textures and Acrylic paint All social life of Easter Island people would adhere, long ago, to the worshiping of the Manutara bird (sterna fuscata). A good omen bird. Every year, the main ceremony would be held to appoint a chief that would receive the name of Tangata Manu (Bird Man). In order to receive this honor, it was necessary to get the first egg laid by the manutara bird. The ceremony was held in a place named Orongo where the participants needed to swim across the open sea, overcoming dangerous currents and waves to reach an islet where the bird nested. After the egg was collected, they needed to swim back to the shore as fast as they could, to show it to the people gathered in that place. The holder of the egg was from that moment protected by the gods and would become the "tangata-manu". He would shave his head and paint it in red; wore a crown-wig made of human hair, called "hau-oho"; painted his head in red and black and finally, he would change his name for the name of the upcoming year. After the ceremony, the tangata – manu would retire to a house build especially for him at the slope of Rano- Raraku, in a region called Orohié, for one year. |
Easter Island Introduction Sentinels in Stone - Rise & Fall of Easter Island's Culture | Page | 1 | 2 | 3 | The Rock Art of Easter Island The Birdman Cult / Motif of Easter Island Sea & Marine Creatures in Easter Island Rock Art Designs & Motifs of Easter Island's Rock Petroglyph Carvings Dr Georgia Lee - Publications on Easter Island Moai Location Map & Islanders Contemporary Easter Island Art Easter Island Glossary | A-M | N-Z | Easter Island Conclusion| Page | 1 | 2 |
