FEBRUARY 2020

                                                                  JANUARY
TONGARIKI
     Here we are in February! At least you all got your 2020 calendars before your 2019 calendar ran out! 
     It's a shame Tongariki didn't get more contemplation time as it is the most recognizable image of Rapa Nui. ( I'll refer to what we know as Easter Island by it's local name of Rapa Nui from here on out.)  As I mentioned before, all the moai were damaged in the 1700's. Tongariki is the largest grouping of restored moai, 15 in all. They are all different sizes and shapes; no two are alike, which also can be said of the 900+ which have been discovered to date! The ahu, or base for the moai, was also well restored. It's most impressive! 

Up close and personal!

Backside



Teaser photo from November 2019

FEBRUARY
Ahu Nau Nau

     This Ahu with it's seven moai is also iconic. It is located a few hundred yards from Anakena Beach, which is an exotic tropical sandy cove. This area is considered to be the birthplace of the history and culture of Rapa Nui. According to oral tradition, it was here that the first king, Ariki Hotu Matu'a, and his subjects, landed and established the first settlement on the island. Thus it is known as the place of kings. There were other ahu and moai, in the area, but this one has been restored.
      When the moai were destroyed, these had the advantage of being left buried in the sand on the beach. They were protected from erosion by the sand, and thus are better preserved than many other moai. Thus it is that here is where it was determined, based on the findings of Rapa Nui archeologist Sonia Haoa, that the moai had eyes. She found pieces of coral and a disk of red scoria which once assembled fitted into the empty orbit of the moai found nearby.  None of the 900 had eyes at the time archeologists took interest in them. Bits of  coral had been found, but assumed to be pieces of bowls. It was only after Sonia Haha found better preserved fragments in 1978, during the restoration process, that enough fragments were found to conclude that all the moai had eyes carved from coral.
     You will notice how much better preserved these moai are than those above from Tongariki.
   
Well preserved detail of FEBRUARY


ANAKENA BEACH - (Ahu Nau Nau is behind to the left)



     Anakena Beach is a popular hangout for locals. For just a day at the beach, as well as for special events like weddings. Event producers are often used to add a cultural component to the festivities, as you see in this photo.
     There is lots more to say, and I encourage you to delve further into the history of this magical place. We are so lucky to have so much information at our fingertips!

     Note:  if you wish to leave a comment, but don't have a google account, your comment will be entered as from "unknown".To get credit where credit is due, just put your name as part of the comment, so I know who you are! I do appreciate hearing from you!

Comments

  1. Thanks Sylvia! Always so interesting!
    Rosann Volmert

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Sylvia, Thank you for my beautiful calendar! Thanks for sharing your stunning photos.
    Carol Quinn

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

FEBRUARY 2023

NOVEMBER, 2020

JULY 2022