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Easter Island / Rapa Nui - Glossary of Terms & Definitions |
GLOSSARY A - Z |
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| 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
