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Port of Call |
LAST UPDATE July 12, 2005
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| site design imagesparkle.com |
| April 21, 2005 |
Rapa Nui – Unraveling the Mysteries of Easter Island |
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| Easter Island, called Rapa Nui by its native population, is best known for the “mysterious” moai statues. |
Mention of Easter Island inevitably conjures up images of monolithic figures and lost civilizations. The incredible remoteness of the island and difficulty of access contribute to that image. It is in fact the most remote island in the world, the nearest land being Pitcairn Island (home to the descendents of the infamous Bounty mutineers), 1600 kilometers to the west. Easter Island, called Rapa Nui in the local language, is home to almost 4,000 residents, who proudly continue the traditions of their ancestors. Politically, the island is a province of Chile (3790 kilometers to the east), but the island has its own unique language, culture, and traditions. |
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| A Peace Boat participant en route to Easter Island by tender boat. |
Peace Boat arrived off the coast of Rapa Nui early in the morning of April 21st. As the island is only 166 square kilometers, it does not have a port large enough to accommodate TSS The Topaz and disembarking passengers had to use small tender boats to reach the shore. More than 200 participants braved rough seas and occasional rain showers on the 21st in order to be able to visit this fascinating island and its inhabitants. Joined onshore by a Chilean archeologist specializing in the study of the island’s moai (the famous stone statues of the island), participants were excited to see how, hundreds of years ago, the moai were carved before transport to various sites around the island. While many people may think that the moai are a complete mystery, there is much that is known about their purpose and how they were made. |
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| Moai at Ahu Tongariki. (Ms. Mahina Raputuki’s ancestor is second from the right) |
Participants’ first stop on the island was Rano Raraku, an extinct volcano that served as a quarry for the basalt used to make the moai. There, visitors can see dozens of moai in many different stages of completion, as well as remnants of the engineering systems used to lower the moai from the volcano. Rapa Nui is home to approximately 1300 of these stone monuments, the tallest of which is 26.5 meters. While the moai range in weight from 200-800 tons, seeing this important archeological site, it is easy to imagine how the great statues were constructed and transported. |
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| A Rapanui man explains the meaning of the moai to Peace Boat participant Kurosaki Kumiko. |
According to Ms. Mahina Raputuki, a Guest Educator onboard Peace Boat’s 48th voyage, the moai were constructed as symbolic representations of people who had made great contributions to the Rapanui community and were placed facing the community so these people could watch over the community after death. The builders of the moai believed that each person had a special spiritual power, called mana, that was an integral part of life. Rather than lose the mana of the respected members of their society after death, the moai were built as a place for that mana to reside after death. Each of the moai built represented a real person, and many of the moai are still revered today by the descendents of the people they represent. Ms. Raputuki herself is a descendent of one of the leaders whose moai is displayed in Ahu Tongariki, a site on the coast where fifteen moai have been restored to their standing position. |
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| Unearthing traditional Rapanui barbeque. |
After visiting Ahu Tongariki, participants traveled to the opposite side of the island to the town of Hanga Roa to learn more about traditional culture in today’s Rapa Nui. Upon arrival at Cabaña Pikerauri, a local center for Rapanui culture, participants were welcomed by a local music and dance group and treated to a delicious lunch prepared by the group. Lamb, fish, and kuma (a sweet potato native to Rapa Nui) had been buried in the ground with hot stones and cooked to perfection. As members of the group unearthed the food, a traditional song was sung, giving thanks for the feast. Over lunch, participants had the opportunity to chat with members of all ages and learn more about their lives on the island. |
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| Japanese participants teach Rapanui children origami. |
After lunch, the group enjoyed a period of cultural exchange in which both Japanese and Rapanui participants shared traditional crafts, songs, and dances with each other. “Rapanui culture is very rich,” one young Peace Boat participant commented after the exchange. “They have a lot of respect for their ancestors, which is very similar to Japanese culture. The moai took so much work to build, so I think those people must have been very well-loved and respected. In the sites we visited today, I could see how the ancestors are still watching over their children. In the exchange, I could also feel the richness of the culture. Tradition is very important on Rapa Nui, and I hope they can continue their language and culture. I hope the rest of the world can learn about Rapa Nui.”
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| Participants view the magnificent sunset over Rapa Nui from Peace Boat. |
At the end of the day, many expressed the desire to stay longer and experience more of Rapa Nui’s unique culture. After saying farewell to their new friends, participants traveled back to the shore where the tender boats were parked and returned to Peace Boat. As the ship raised anchor and began the next leg of its voyage, the sun set behind Rapa Nui, giving a spectacular final view of the island - as if the island itself were bidding its visitors farewell and wishing them a safe journey to their next destination. |
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