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GLOSSARY A - M
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| ahu |
A shrine, place of worship, called marae in other parts of Polynesia |
| aku aku |
Supernatural spirits that frequent specific clan areas |
| ao |
Ceremonial dance paddle with human face on one end; also refers to those taking part in the birdman culceremonies |
| ariki |
Chief, head of descent group |
| ariki mau |
Paramount of high chief of Easter Island, chosen from the Miru clan (primary status clan) |
| ariki paka |
Member of the Miru clan |
| arioi |
A class of professional dancers/entertainer in the Society Islands |
| avanga |
Irregular stone cists with human bones; a form of burial |
| hanehane |
Red scoria stone |
| Hanga Roa |
The only village and commercial center on Easter Island today |
| hara |
Sin or error |
| hare moa |
A stone structure with an inner chamber said to be a pen for chickens. Most of these were probably tombs but were reused in later times |
| hare paenga |
A house for statue individuals built in the shape of an upturned canoe. The foundation was formed of dressed stones, the top thatched. Also called hare vaka |
| ha'u |
Hat |
| haukiri |
A hat worn by women; made of feathers, it came to a point |
| Hiva |
Mythical ancestral homeland |
| hopu |
A servant or proxy for the birdman contestant |
| Hotu Matu'a |
Founding ancestor, according to legend |
| huruhuru moa |
Feathered brush |
| ika |
Fish or human sacrifice (fish for the gods) |
| ivi atua |
A type of priest (sorcerer, diviner, prophet; called taula elsewhere in Polnesia) |
| keho |
Thin slabs of basalt |
| kio |
Sevant or farmer |
| komari |
Vulva |
| kumara |
Sweet potato |
| kura |
Red |
| maea mo moa |
Stone to promote fertility in chickens |
| mahute |
Bark of the Brousanetia papirifera tree, used to make barkcloth |
| Makemake |
God of the warriors |
| makohe |
Frigate bird |
| mana |
Supernatural power |
| manavai |
Stone-walled garden enclosures |
| manupiri |
Design depicting two birdmen face to face. Said to represnt the idea of source, family tree, groups into which one may marry; tumu |
| manutara |
Sooty turn |
| manukura |
Sacred red bird |
| manu |
Ceremony to initiate children |
| marae |
Sacred temple and/or precinct, associated with gods or spirits of the dead |
| mata |
Eye, people, clan, ancestor |
| mata'a |
Obsidian spear point |
| matatoa |
Warriors |
| Manunga Orito |
Obsidian source |
| Miru |
Name of leading status clan on Easter Island |
| moa |
Chicken |
| moai |
Statue, carving |
| moko |
Lizard |
| motu |
Islet |
Click here for definitions N - Z
