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Longing for London (78)
Moai known as Hoa Hakananai'a
Rapa Nui/Easter Island, Chile
The Polynesian peoples of Rapa Nui created the extraordinary stone figures (moai) for which the island is famous. From around AD 1000, Islanders invested huge resource and effort in quarrying the stone and carving the statues. Many of the moai were transported across the Island and erected onto platforms known as ahu. Ahu generally faced away from the ocean and moai gazed inwards to the land and its people. Across Polynesia, Islanders worshipped ancestors who traced their lineages back to the gods. Moai were raised in honor of important deified ancestors and could embody their spirits.
Hoa Hakananai'a is different from most other moai. He is carved from hard basalt, rather than the softer volcanic stone which was generally used. On his back are a number of carved symbols depicting frigate bird heads and human/bird figures, amongst other things. These relate to the island's 'birdman' ceremonies which were associated with fertility and access to resources. From about 1600, Islanders began to topple the statues. Hoa Hakananai'a was probably one of the last moai to be the focus of rituals.
Longing for London (78)
Moai known as Hoa Hakananai'a
Rapa Nui/Easter Island, Chile
The Polynesian peoples of Rapa Nui created the extraordinary stone figures (moai) for which the island is famous. From around AD 1000, Islanders invested huge resource and effort in quarrying the stone and carving the statues. Many of the moai were transported across the Island and erected onto platforms known as ahu. Ahu generally faced away from the ocean and moai gazed inwards to the land and its people. Across Polynesia, Islanders worshipped ancestors who traced their lineages back to the gods. Moai were raised in honor of important deified ancestors and could embody their spirits.
Hoa Hakananai'a is different from most other moai. He is carved from hard basalt, rather than the softer volcanic stone which was generally used. On his back are a number of carved symbols depicting frigate bird heads and human/bird figures, amongst other things. These relate to the island's 'birdman' ceremonies which were associated with fertility and access to resources. From about 1600, Islanders began to topple the statues. Hoa Hakananai'a was probably one of the last moai to be the focus of rituals.