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Easter Island / Rapa Nui - Glossary of Terms & Definitions |
GLOSSARY A - Z |
|
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 |
nanue | Favorite fish of the Easter Islanders |
noa | Profane; opposite of tapu |
nuihi | Mythological sea creature, half human, half shark |
paenga | Worked stone for structures |
pakia | A type of fish, or seal-like creature |
papa | Flat lava flow |
piu | Young sooty terns |
pipi horeko | Stone cairns that may have been boundary markers |
pora | Reed boats or floats |
poro | Rounded beach cobbles |
pua | Dye |
pukao | Cylindrical stone topknots carved of red scoria and placed on the heads of moai |
rahui | Prohibition on the use of resources |
rapa | A dance paddle, smaller than an ao but having the same general confirmation |
Rapa Nui | Easter Island, Easter Islanders, and their language |
rei miro | Lunate-shaped ceremonial pectoral said to have been worn by royalty |
rongorongo | Wood tablets with script |
taheta | Basin, usually for water collection |
tahonga | Wooden coconut-shaped oraments worn around the neck |
take | Initiation rite for children |
tangata | Man |
tangata manu | Bird Man |
tapa | Sacred, prohibited |
taula | Priest similar to ivi atua; in the Marquesas, taua |
ti | A plant that is a source of dye |
tiki | Figures carved in human form |
totora | A reed that grows in the creater lakes |
tufunga | Protopolynesian word for priest or expert; tofunga, kahuna eleswhere |
tumu | Source, family tree, group into which one may marry |
tupa | Large stone tower with inner chamber whose function is uncertain. Similar structures called "turtle watching towers" were used in the Tuamotus to watch the stars |
turua | Stone pillows |
umu | Earth oven |
vai | Water |
vaka | Canoe |
varua | Spirit |
→ Easter Island Introduction
→ Sentinels in Stone - Rise & Fall of Easter Island's Culture | Page | 1 | 2 | 3 |
→ The Rock Art of Easter Island
→ The Birdman Cult / Motif of Easter Island
→ Sea & Marine Creatures in Easter Island Rock Art
→ Designs & Motifs of Easter Island's Rock Petroglyph Carvings
→ Dr Georgia Lee - Publications on Easter Island
→ Moai Location Map & Islanders
→ Contemporary Easter Island Art
→ Easter Island Glossary
→ Easter Island Conclusion