| Thousands of petroglyphs (rock carvings) can be
found on Easter Island. Many represent animals, notably birds or
anthropomorphic birdmen. After the demise of the statue building, in the
last days before the invasion by Peruvian slave traders, there arose a
cult of the Birdman (Tangata Manu). The birdman was seen as the
representative on earth of the creator god Makemake, and eventually, this
cult surpassed the traditional power of the king (ariki).
Once a year, representatives from each clan would
gather at the ceremonial village of Orongo, and swim to Motu Nui, a nearby
Islet to search for the egg of the Sooty Tern. On his return, the
competitor presented the egg to his representative who was then invested
with the title of Tangata Manu. He then went down to Mataveri and
from there was led in procession to the southwest exterior slope of Rano
Raraku, where he remained in seclusion for a year.For more information on the Sights
of Easter Island, go to:
Go for further general
information on Easter Island to:
For travel
information on Easter Island, go to:
We have included Easter Island in some of our specials to the South Pacific, eg. our
Kontiki
Voyage. Another option is to create your own package to Easter
Island by utilizing the seperate travel components, like
hotels,
flights and
excursions
on the islands.
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