{"id":25078,"date":"2022-04-12T11:28:58","date_gmt":"2022-04-12T11:28:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/?p=25078"},"modified":"2022-04-22T09:02:44","modified_gmt":"2022-04-22T09:02:44","slug":"mana-rapa-nui-the-supernatural-power-of-easter-island","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/mana-rapa-nui-the-supernatural-power-of-easter-island\/","title":{"rendered":"Mana Rapa Nui, the supernatural power of Easter Island"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-25085\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/mana-rapa-nui-ahu-tahai-Easter-Island.jpg?resize=640%2C427&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Mana Rapa Nui The supernatural power of Easter Island\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" data-id=\"25085\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/mana-rapa-nui-ahu-tahai-Easter-Island.jpg?w=640&amp;ssl=1 640w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/mana-rapa-nui-ahu-tahai-Easter-Island.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n<!-- Widget Shortcode --><div id=\"custom_html-13\" class=\"widget_text widget widget_custom_html widget-shortcode area-arbitrary \"><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><div class=\"content-box-redes-sociales\"><div class=\"addtoany_shortcode\"><div class=\"a2a_kit a2a_kit_size_32 addtoany_list\"><a class=\"a2a_button_whatsapp\" href=\"https:\/\/www.addtoany.com\/add_to\/whatsapp?linkurl=&amp;linkname=\" title=\"WhatsApp\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><\/a><a class=\"a2a_button_facebook\" href=\"https:\/\/www.addtoany.com\/add_to\/facebook?linkurl=&amp;linkname=\" title=\"Facebook\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><\/a><a class=\"a2a_button_x\" href=\"https:\/\/www.addtoany.com\/add_to\/x?linkurl=&amp;linkname=\" title=\"X\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><\/a><a class=\"a2a_button_email\" href=\"https:\/\/www.addtoany.com\/add_to\/email?linkurl=&amp;linkname=\" title=\"Email\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><\/a><a class=\"a2a_dd addtoany_share_save addtoany_share\" href=\"https:\/\/www.addtoany.com\/share\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- \/Widget Shortcode -->\n<p><strong>Mana<\/strong>, in the Rapa Nui culture, represents the creative energy that is the origin of everything, a vital force that is still felt on the island.<\/p>\n\n<!-- Widget Shortcode --><div id=\"text-8\" class=\"widget widget_text widget-shortcode area-arbitrary \">\t\t\t<div class=\"textwidget\"><p style=\"text-align: center; font-size: 0.7em; color: #c4c4c4; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 5px;\">ADVERTISING<\/p>\r\n<div class=\"anuncio\">\r\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-9974337153208599\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<!-- Banner_Central Rapa Nui -->\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:inline-block;width:300px;height:250px\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-9974337153208599\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"4035446418\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><!-- \/Widget Shortcode -->\n<h2>Mana, the spiritual energy of Rapa Nui<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_25086\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-25086\" style=\"width: 630px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Mana-Rapa-Nui-Te-Pito-Kura-Easter-Island.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-25086 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Mana-Rapa-Nui-Te-Pito-Kura-Easter-Island.jpg?resize=640%2C380&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Te Pito Kura's magnetic stone is said to contain mana\" width=\"640\" height=\"380\" data-id=\"25086\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Mana-Rapa-Nui-Te-Pito-Kura-Easter-Island.jpg?w=640&amp;ssl=1 640w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Mana-Rapa-Nui-Te-Pito-Kura-Easter-Island.jpg?resize=300%2C178&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-25086\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Te Pito Kura&#8217;s magnetic stone is said to contain mana<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><em>Mana<\/em> is a fundamental concept in the <a href=\"https:\/\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/rapa-nui-culture\/rapa-nui-religion-and-beliefs\/\">worldview of the Rapa Nui people<\/a> and other Polynesian cultures. Mana is understood as the <strong>sacred and spiritual power<\/strong> that comes from the divinity and is manifested through the human descendants of the gods.<\/p>\n<p><em>Mana<\/em> represents the vital energy that is the source of everything, <strong>an extraordinary creative force<\/strong> that is responsible for the fertility of the earth, the seas and thus for human prosperity. However, mana also has <strong>a dangerous and destructive dimension<\/strong>, capable of annihilating people if they contravene a certain <a href=\"https:\/\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/tapu-rapa-nui-the-concept-of-the-sacred-and-forbidden-on-easter-island\/\"><em>tapu<\/em> or sacred precept<\/a>.\u00a0 Thus, t<strong>he notions of <em>mana<\/em> and <em>tapu<\/em> form an inseparable binomial<\/strong> that governed the beliefs of the Rapa Nui people and shaped Easter Island&#8217;s ancient political and religious system.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Inherited and acquired mana<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>This sacred power was thought to exist within the members of the ruling class, and especially the ariki mau or paramount chief, because their ancestors were descended from the gods. This divine blessing was passed down from father to son, so that <strong>the <em>ariki<\/em> inherited <em>mana<\/em> in their own right<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>However, <em>mana<\/em> not only represented a divine idea, it was also related to learning the knowledge necessary to perform a task effectively. Thus, <strong><em>mana<\/em> could be acquired<\/strong> by individuals who demonstrated excellence in the practice of certain subjects or activities. These expert masters, called <em>maori<\/em> in the <a href=\"https:\/\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/rapa-nui-culture\/rapa-nui-language\/\">Rapa Nui language<\/a>, gained social recognition that enhanced their status within the community.<\/p>\n<p>This new &#8220;hard-earned and talented&#8221; mana was also passed on from generation to generation, creating new privileged lineages. Thus, different classes and guilds of experts emerged, such as the <em>ivi atua<\/em> or priests, the <em>maori rongo rongo<\/em> or wise men who understood the <a href=\"https:\/\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/rapa-nui-culture\/rongorongo\/\">inscribed tablets<\/a>, the <em>maori takona<\/em>, <a href=\"https:\/\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/rapa-nui-culture\/rapa-nui-tattoo\/\">tattoo<\/a> specialists, stone carvers masters who sculpted the <em>moai<\/em>, fishermen and warriors.<\/p>\n<p>Finally, <em>mana<\/em> could also be found in certain elements of nature or obtained through certain objects considered magical. This special power could be transferred to other people or things, both in a positive and negative sense. Moreover, just as <em>mana<\/em> could be inherited or acquired, it could also be lost, or turned against its possessor, either by the action of a more powerful <em>mana<\/em> or by breaking a sacred order or <em>tapu<\/em>.<\/p>\n<!-- Widget Shortcode --><div id=\"text-47\" class=\"widget widget_text widget-shortcode area-arbitrary \">\t\t\t<div class=\"textwidget\"><p style=\"text-align: center; font-size: 0.7em; color: #c4c4c4; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 5px;\">ADVERTISING<\/p>\r\n<div class=\"anuncio\">\r\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-9974337153208599\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<!-- Banner_Central Rapa Nui -->\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:inline-block;width:300px;height:250px\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-9974337153208599\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"4035446418\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><!-- \/Widget Shortcode -->\n<h2>The ariki mau and his supernatural power<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_25083\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-25083\" style=\"width: 630px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Ariki-Hotu-Matua-Mana-Rapa-Nui-Easter-Island.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-25083 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Ariki-Hotu-Matua-Mana-Rapa-Nui-Easter-Island.jpg?resize=640%2C427&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Sculpture of the first ariki Hotu Matu'a located in the Ahu Akahanga Mana Rapa Nui\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" data-id=\"25083\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Ariki-Hotu-Matua-Mana-Rapa-Nui-Easter-Island.jpg?w=640&amp;ssl=1 640w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Ariki-Hotu-Matua-Mana-Rapa-Nui-Easter-Island.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-25083\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sculpture of the first ariki Hotu Matu&#8217;a located in the Ahu Akahanga<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The <em>ariki mau<\/em> or paramount chief of Easter Island was a direct descendant of <strong>Hotu Matu&#8217;a<\/strong>, the first king to arrive on the island, and thus of the gods Tangaroa and Rongo. This high aristocratic rank was unique to the Honga lineage of the Miru tribe and gave him a higher status than other tribal chiefs.<\/p>\n<p>The <em>ariki mau<\/em> embodied <em>mana<\/em>, a supernatural power of divine origin, and was therefore considered the spiritual and religious leader of Easter Island. However, although feared and respected for his social prestige and sacredness, the <em>ariki mau<\/em> had no real political power.<\/p>\n<p>The main function of the <em>ariki mau<\/em> was to apply his magic to ensure the welfare of his people, guaranteeing the food supply through his influence on nature. Although he oversaw certain religious activities that required his presence, most rituals were performed by the &#8220;<em>ivi atua<\/em>&#8221; or priests who belonged to the nobility.<\/p>\n<p>In Polynesia, the birth of this divine chief was associated with certain miracles brought about by the power of his <em>mana<\/em>. Thus, for example, new species or varieties of <a href=\"https:\/\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/easter-island-animals\/\">animals<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/easter-island-flora\/\">plants<\/a> emerged or reproduced in greater numbers when a new king was born. Similarly, the death of an <em>ariki<\/em> was thought to cause the extinction of the beings that had existed thanks to him.<\/p>\n<h3>Life of the ariki mau<\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_25082\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-25082\" style=\"width: 630px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Anakena-place-of-residence-of-the-ariki-mau.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-25082 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Anakena-place-of-residence-of-the-ariki-mau.jpg?resize=640%2C428&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Anakena was the place of residence of the ariki mau\" width=\"640\" height=\"428\" data-id=\"25082\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Anakena-place-of-residence-of-the-ariki-mau.jpg?w=640&amp;ssl=1 640w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Anakena-place-of-residence-of-the-ariki-mau.jpg?resize=300%2C201&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-25082\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Anakena was the place of residence of the ariki mau<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The office of <em>ariki mau<\/em> was hereditary, and he was the only man who was obliged to marry a woman of his own clan. When he reached old age it was customary for him to abdicate in favour of his first-born son, who also inherited the <em>mana<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>Tradition has it that the <em>ariki mau<\/em> lived in <a href=\"https:\/\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/easter-island-sightseeing\/easter-island-beaches\/anakena\/\">Anakena<\/a> or near <a href=\"https:\/\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/easter-island-sightseeing\/easter-island-archaeology\/ahu-tahai\/\">Tahai<\/a> in inverted boat-shaped houses called <em>hare paenga<\/em>, the foundations of which are still preserved. Their lifestyle, behaviour and physical appearance were dictated by a set of <em>tapus<\/em> or strict rules that no one was allowed to break.<\/p>\n<p>The <em>ariki mau<\/em> wore a <em>hami<\/em> or loincloth and a layer of tapa cloth (woven from <em>mahute<\/em> bark) dyed with vegetable dyes. He carried various wooden <a href=\"https:\/\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/rapa-nui-culture\/easter-island-symbols\/\">symbols<\/a>, such as the <em>ao<\/em>, a staff, and a crescent-shaped pendant called a <em>reimiro<\/em>, and his skin was decorated with <a href=\"https:\/\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/rapa-nui-culture\/rapa-nui-tattoo\/\">tattoos<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/rapa-nui-culture\/takona-rapa-nui-body-painting\/\">paintings<\/a> befitting his high position.<\/p>\n<!-- Widget Shortcode --><div id=\"text-47\" class=\"widget widget_text widget-shortcode area-arbitrary \">\t\t\t<div class=\"textwidget\"><p style=\"text-align: center; font-size: 0.7em; color: #c4c4c4; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 5px;\">ADVERTISING<\/p>\r\n<div class=\"anuncio\">\r\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-9974337153208599\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<!-- Banner_Central Rapa Nui -->\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:inline-block;width:300px;height:250px\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-9974337153208599\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"4035446418\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><!-- \/Widget Shortcode -->\n<h3>The power of <em>mana<\/em> and <em>tapu<\/em><\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_25094\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-25094\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Easter-Island-Animals-Rooster-at-Ahu-Tongariki.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-25094 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Easter-Island-Animals-Rooster-at-Ahu-Tongariki.jpg?resize=650%2C434&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"The mana of the ariki mau influenced the abundance of chickens and hens\" width=\"650\" height=\"434\" data-id=\"25094\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Easter-Island-Animals-Rooster-at-Ahu-Tongariki.jpg?w=650&amp;ssl=1 650w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Easter-Island-Animals-Rooster-at-Ahu-Tongariki.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-25094\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The mana of the ariki mau influenced the abundance of chickens and hens<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The <em>mana<\/em> surrounding the <em>ariki mau<\/em> permeated all his belongings, so that his body, his clothes, his dwelling and everything he wore was <em>tapu<\/em> to anyone else. <strong>No one could touch any part of the king&#8217;s body<\/strong> without risking death or severe pain. The king&#8217;s head was his most sacred part and therefore his hair was never cut.<\/p>\n<p><strong>No one was allowed to see the king or his son eat or sleep<\/strong>, only his servants who were nobles and assisted him in all his needs were allowed to enter his house. The king&#8217;s food was <em>tapu<\/em> and only his servants could touch it.<\/p>\n<p>The <em>ariki mau<\/em> had, in turn, several <strong>forbidden foods<\/strong>. For example, he was not allowed to eat rats because it was said to affect his power to produce more chickens. And he could only eat certain fish, including tuna (<em>kahi<\/em>), even during the months when there was a fishing <em>tapu<\/em>, the prohibition of which did not affect the island aristocracy.<\/p>\n<p>New fishing canoes and newly built houses had first to receive the king&#8217;s blessing before being used by their owners. It was believed that through these rituals the objects absorbed the good luck emanating from the divine <em>mana<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>The king also exercised his power over the weather, imploring rain from the god Hiro to increase the fertility of the land, and over nature to obtain a greater abundance of food. In gratitude, he received the first fruits of each season and then gave the order to begin the harvesting of crops and the practice of fishing, which until then had been <em>tapu<\/em>. Afterwards, great feasts and ceremonies were organised where the food was distributed among the population.<\/p>\n<!-- Widget Shortcode --><div id=\"text-47\" class=\"widget widget_text widget-shortcode area-arbitrary \">\t\t\t<div class=\"textwidget\"><p style=\"text-align: center; font-size: 0.7em; color: #c4c4c4; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 5px;\">ADVERTISING<\/p>\r\n<div class=\"anuncio\">\r\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-9974337153208599\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<!-- Banner_Central Rapa Nui -->\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:inline-block;width:300px;height:250px\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-9974337153208599\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"4035446418\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><!-- \/Widget Shortcode -->\n<h2>Objects with mana<\/h2>\n<p>The ancient Rapa Nui believed that the power of <em>mana<\/em> permeated certain objects in such a way as to bring good luck. This magical energy could be inherent in the object or come from powerful people to whom it had belonged.<\/p>\n<p>These <strong><em>mana<\/em>-charged objects were used as amulets<\/strong> to favourably influence the increase of harvests, the fertility of chickens and fishing, as well as to protect houses or places from possible dangers. Let us take a look at some of these items.<\/p>\n<h3>Sacred skulls<\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_25088\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-25088\" style=\"width: 587px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Skull-engraved-with-manutara-from-Easter-Island-CC-BY-NC-4.0-KMKG-MRAH-Royal-Museums-of-Art-and-History-of-Brussels.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-25088 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Skull-engraved-with-manutara-from-Easter-Island-CC-BY-NC-4.0-KMKG-MRAH-Royal-Museums-of-Art-and-History-of-Brussels.jpg?resize=597%2C398&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Mana of Ancient skull with a bird engraving | Image: KMKG-MRAH\" width=\"597\" height=\"398\" data-id=\"25088\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Skull-engraved-with-manutara-from-Easter-Island-CC-BY-NC-4.0-KMKG-MRAH-Royal-Museums-of-Art-and-History-of-Brussels.jpg?w=597&amp;ssl=1 597w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Skull-engraved-with-manutara-from-Easter-Island-CC-BY-NC-4.0-KMKG-MRAH-Royal-Museums-of-Art-and-History-of-Brussels.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 597px) 100vw, 597px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-25088\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ancient skull with a bird engraving | Image: KMKG-MRAH<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The sacred power emanating from the <em>ariki mau<\/em> and other nobles of the Miru tribe (<em>ariki paka<\/em>) did not cease with death. Their <em>mana<\/em> was thought to be <strong>transmitted to the bones<\/strong>, and especially to the skull, since, as we have seen, the head was the most sacred part.<\/p>\n<p>For this reason, <strong>the skulls of the <em>ariki<\/em> were stolen<\/strong> from <em>ahu<\/em> and other burial places to be used as talismans. These valuable skulls used to be decorated with different designs engraved on the forehead and were placed inside the <em>hare moa<\/em> or stone hen-houses in the villages. They were therefore called <strong><em>puoko moa<\/em><\/strong> or hen&#8217;s head, as they had the magical power to increase the egg-laying capacity of the hens and thus multiply the chickens.<\/p>\n<p>This belief in the magical power of <em>ariki<\/em> skulls was also common in other <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Polynesia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Polynesian islands<\/a>. For example, these special skulls were carried on boats to protect fishermen from sharks and ensure a good catch, or placed in sweet potato fields to guarantee a good harvest.<\/p>\n<h3>Mangai ivi tangata, the human bone hooks<\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_25087\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-25087\" style=\"width: 630px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Mangai-ivi-CC-BY-NC-4.0-KMKG-MRAH-Royal-Museums-of-Art-and-History-of-Brussels.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-25087 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Mangai-ivi-CC-BY-NC-4.0-KMKG-MRAH-Royal-Museums-of-Art-and-History-of-Brussels.jpg?resize=640%2C427&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Mangai ivi tangata | Image: KMKG-MRAH\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" data-id=\"25087\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Mangai-ivi-CC-BY-NC-4.0-KMKG-MRAH-Royal-Museums-of-Art-and-History-of-Brussels.jpg?w=591&amp;ssl=1 591w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Mangai-ivi-CC-BY-NC-4.0-KMKG-MRAH-Royal-Museums-of-Art-and-History-of-Brussels.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-25087\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Mangai ivi tangata | Image: KMKG-MRAH<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The fishhook or <a href=\"https:\/\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/mangai-the-polynesian-hook-of-easter-island\/\"><strong><em>mangai<\/em><\/strong><\/a>, in the Rapa Nui language, is an artefact that is widespread throughout Polynesia and was considered one of the most precious objects to have on an island, since, through its use, the inhabitants obtained the food necessary for their subsistence. It took a long time to make one of these valuable pieces, so they were passed down from father to son as family jewellery.<\/p>\n<p>A large majority of the ancient fishhooks that have been collected on Easter Island have been found in <em>ariki<\/em> graves buried in the <em>ahu<\/em>, along with obsidian-tipped spears. In addition to the <em>mangai maea<\/em> made of polished basalt, the most common were the <em>mangai ivi<\/em> made of bone and, in particular, the <strong><em>mangai ivi tangata<\/em><\/strong> or hooks made of human bones whose origin goes back to a legend.<\/p>\n<p>According to tradition, a fisherman named Ure Vai, who was not very successful at fishing, made the first <em>mangai ivi tangata<\/em> from the femur of his dead father on the advice of an <em>aku-aku<\/em> or spirit that appeared to him in a dream. When he threw the <em>mangai<\/em> into the sea, it began to catch fish with great ease, returning to shore with large quantities of fish.<\/p>\n<p>This story reaffirms the belief in using the <em>mana<\/em> impregnated in the bones of an experienced fisherman to favour the luck of a younger one. Although from a practical point of view, the use of human bones is explained by the absence on the island of large animals from which sufficient material could be extracted to make these tools.<\/p>\n<!-- Widget Shortcode --><div id=\"text-47\" class=\"widget widget_text widget-shortcode area-arbitrary \">\t\t\t<div class=\"textwidget\"><p style=\"text-align: center; font-size: 0.7em; color: #c4c4c4; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 5px;\">ADVERTISING<\/p>\r\n<div class=\"anuncio\">\r\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-9974337153208599\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<!-- Banner_Central Rapa Nui -->\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:inline-block;width:300px;height:250px\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-9974337153208599\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"4035446418\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><!-- \/Widget Shortcode -->\n<h3>Magic stones<\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_25084\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-25084\" style=\"width: 590px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Engraved-stone-with-komari-CC-BY-NC-4.0-KMKG-MRAH-Royal-Museums-of-Art-and-History-of-Brussels.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-25084 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Engraved-stone-with-komari-CC-BY-NC-4.0-KMKG-MRAH-Royal-Museums-of-Art-and-History-of-Brussels.jpg?resize=600%2C445&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Stone with engraved komari symbol | Image: KMKG-MRAH\" width=\"600\" height=\"445\" data-id=\"25084\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Engraved-stone-with-komari-CC-BY-NC-4.0-KMKG-MRAH-Royal-Museums-of-Art-and-History-of-Brussels.jpg?w=600&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Engraved-stone-with-komari-CC-BY-NC-4.0-KMKG-MRAH-Royal-Museums-of-Art-and-History-of-Brussels.jpg?resize=300%2C223&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-25084\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Stone with engraved komari symbol | Image: KMKG-MRAH<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The islanders also kept <strong>unique stones to attract good luck<\/strong>. Most of them had engravings on their surface, and although they sometimes showed human or animal figures, the most repeated design was the <em>komari<\/em> or female vulva, the symbol of fertility in Rapa Nui.<\/p>\n<p>Some of these stones had the same purpose as the skulls and were called <em>maea moa<\/em> or stone for the hens, because they were also placed in the hen houses to increase production. Others were taken on board the canoes because they were used to catch tuna and other fish.<\/p>\n<p>Three large rocks, located within the <a href=\"https:\/\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/rapa-nui-national-park\/\">Rapa Nui National Park<\/a>, stand out for their size and the legends surrounding them.<\/p>\n<p>The first is the <a href=\"https:\/\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/easter-island-sightseeing\/easter-island-archaeology\/ahu-te-pito-kura\/\"><strong>Te Pito Kura magnetic stone<\/strong><\/a> which, according to legend, was brought by Hotu Matu&#8217;a from Hiva, his homeland. This almost spherical and smooth rock is said to concentrate high magnetic energy. Because of its high iron content, this stone gets hotter than other stones and causes compasses to behave strangely. Many visitors place their hands on it to capture its energy or, according to the belief of some, to increase female fertility.<\/p>\n<p>The second is <a href=\"https:\/\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/easter-island-sightseeing\/easter-island-archaeology\/pu-o-hiro\/\"><strong>Pu o Hiro<\/strong><\/a>, a stone located not far from the previous one, whose name means &#8220;Hiro&#8217;s trumpet&#8221; and refers to the ancient god of rain. This artefact, unique on the island, has a main hole through which it was blown, producing a deep trumpet-like sound. It was apparently once considered a talisman for fishing, and tradition has it that when this strange instrument was &#8216;blown&#8217;, fish were attracted to the shore.<\/p>\n<p>The third rock is the most inaccessible to the public because it is located on one of the hills of the <a href=\"https:\/\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/easter-island-sightseeing\/easter-island-volcanoes\/poike\/\">Poike volcano<\/a>, near the summit of Pua Katiki, and is called <strong>Vai a Heva<\/strong>. The ancient Rapa Nui sculpted a fierce and enormous face around a natural cavity 2 metres long, which was used to represent a large open mouth and possibly served to collect rainwater. Its name (Vai, &#8220;water&#8221;; Heva, &#8220;magic&#8221;) refers to the legend that those who drank or immersed themselves in the water of this pool managed to stay young forever. So this unique figure, reminiscent of ancient Roman masks, would be a kind of Fountain of Eternal Youth on Easter Island.<\/p>\n<p><!-- Widget Shortcode --><div id=\"text-15\" class=\"widget widget_text widget-shortcode area-arbitrary \">\t\t\t<div class=\"textwidget\"><p style=\"text-align: center; font-size: 0.7em; color: #c4c4c4; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 5px;\">ADVERTISING<\/p>\r\n<div class=\"anuncio_the_moneytizer\" id=\"83795-19\" style=\"text-align: center; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 30px;\"><script src=\"\/\/ads.themoneytizer.com\/s\/gen.js?type=19\"><\/script><script src=\"\/\/ads.themoneytizer.com\/s\/requestform.js?siteId=83795&formatId=19\"><\/script><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><!-- \/Widget Shortcode --><br \/>\n<!-- Widget Shortcode --><div id=\"custom_html-13\" class=\"widget_text widget widget_custom_html widget-shortcode area-arbitrary \"><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><div class=\"content-box-redes-sociales\"><div class=\"addtoany_shortcode\"><div class=\"a2a_kit a2a_kit_size_32 addtoany_list\"><a class=\"a2a_button_whatsapp\" href=\"https:\/\/www.addtoany.com\/add_to\/whatsapp?linkurl=&amp;linkname=\" title=\"WhatsApp\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><\/a><a class=\"a2a_button_facebook\" href=\"https:\/\/www.addtoany.com\/add_to\/facebook?linkurl=&amp;linkname=\" title=\"Facebook\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><\/a><a class=\"a2a_button_x\" href=\"https:\/\/www.addtoany.com\/add_to\/x?linkurl=&amp;linkname=\" title=\"X\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><\/a><a class=\"a2a_button_email\" href=\"https:\/\/www.addtoany.com\/add_to\/email?linkurl=&amp;linkname=\" title=\"Email\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><\/a><a class=\"a2a_dd addtoany_share_save addtoany_share\" href=\"https:\/\/www.addtoany.com\/share\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- \/Widget Shortcode --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Mana, in the Rapa Nui culture, represents the creative energy that is the origin of everything, a vital force that is still felt on the island. Mana, the spiritual energy of Rapa Nui Mana is a fundamental concept in &#8230; <a title=\"Mana Rapa Nui, the supernatural power of Easter Island\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/mana-rapa-nui-the-supernatural-power-of-easter-island\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Mana Rapa Nui, the supernatural power of Easter Island\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":25085,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bos_mb_destination":[""],"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[110,93,111],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-25078","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-art-and-culture","category-history","category-myths-and-legends","no-featured-image-padding"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/mana-rapa-nui-ahu-tahai-Easter-Island.jpg?fit=640%2C427&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25078","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25078"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25078\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25099,"href":"https:\/\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25078\/revisions\/25099"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/25085"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25078"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25078"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25078"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}