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Rapa Nui CultureYour location: Welcome! (Main page) / Culture, history / Rapa Nui culture
Rapanui language and the rongorongo writingIt is part of the Polynesian language family, but Rapanui is considered a unique language. There are about 4.650 speakers of Rapa Nui, but almost 25 % of these people live outside of Easter Island. It is a rare language and is threatened by extinction. After the Europeans discovered Rapa Nui, they brought various linguistically influences, especially Spanish and other Polynesian influences. Rapa Nui inhabitants went working on other Polynesian islands, many white men and Amerindians have settled on the island. Just over 60 % of Easter Island's population is Rapanui. Nevertheless, today's Rapanui language is not the one spoken by the ancestors of this island, but one with a strong original basis, but many adopted words, expressions.
Petroglyphs
Symbols have been found on a number of stones on the island. Several thousands of petroglyphs can be found on Easter Island. Most of them represent animals, especially birds and the legendary "bird men" (mythological creatures). The material sued for making them was usually volcanic rock with smooth surface. Most often hardened lava and basalt. The petroglyphs appear on large boulders located close to the shore.
Tangata Manu, The Bird Man CultAlso called the "Manutara", this was a ritual held once every year when a representative from each tribe was chosen by the leaders and was appointed to dive into the ocean and swim to the islet of Motu Nui. First, a gathering was held at the ceremonial village of Orongo, then the selected members set off and swam to Motu Nui in order to collect the first egg laid by a Sooty Tern bird. The first swimmer to return to the main island with an intact egg would secure control of Easter Island's resources for his tribe for the rest of the year. The task was dreadfully difficult and many swimmers drowned or were devoured by sharks. The last known Tangata Manu contest was held in the 1800s.
Important note: when we say Rapa Nui, we mean Easter Island, while Rapanui is the language and the people living there.
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