At the border line of the Rano Kau Volcano’s Crater, we can find the remains of an old village. The small barren islands of Motu Nui challenge the waves and also took place the Ceremony of the Bird Man, where the contestants had to go down the Orongo cliff, to reach the barren island and collect the first egg of the “Miniature” bird. It happens to be a cultural attraction since it was a village destined to ceremonial purposes, where the transition from winter to summer was celebrated with the arrival of the spring. The word Orongo means “place of the messenger” this name was given because of the arrival of migrating birds.

 

Text: Patrick Monney ± Photo: Patrick Monney.