EASTER ISLAND or RAPA NUI
Easter Island is the most remote inhabited island in the world, considered the island at the end of the world. It is located 3,700 kilometers off the Chilean coast and 4,000 kilometers from Tahiti, and has an area of approximately 160 square kilometers. It is part of Chilean territory, but its culture is primarily Polynesian.
The island is also best known for its gigantic statues called "moai". There are over 800 moai on the island today; only about ten have been exiled to Chile and abroad for display in museums. The moai were mostly carved from volcanic rock, which was ideal for stone carving. The largest moai on the island is the Moai Te Paro. It is now toppled, but it was 12 meters tall and weighed approximately 80 tons.
There are several theories about the arrival of the first inhabitants on the island and the appearance and creation of these moai.
According to the main legend, the first inhabitants were Polynesian settlers who discovered the island around the 6th century. They named it "Rapa Nui," meaning "Big Island." The Rapanui are said to have immortalized the island's first discoverers, seven in number, by erecting moai in their likeness. The seven moai are located on the Ahu Akivi, a ceremonial platform for the moai, and are symbolically oriented toward the sea, as they are said to be looking toward their native Polynesian island.
Then, on April 5, 1722, Easter Day, the Dutch navigator Jakob Roggeveen discovered the island and renamed it "Easter Island". When he discovered the island, there were approximately 4,000 inhabitants. It appears that the subsequent disappearance of vegetation on the island and various tribal struggles significantly reduced the population. But the arrival of the Europeans was to be fatal, with the appearance of diseases brought and with the slavery practiced on the Rapanuis.
On September 9, 1888, Chile took possession of the island. And in 1966, the inhabitants, now called "Pascuans" from the Spanish word pascua, which means Easter, were annexed to the province of Valparaiso, thus obtaining Chilean nationality. Today, there are nearly 5,000 inhabitants on Easter Island, but true Pascuans are a minority. A large portion of the population comes from Polynesia, and the rest from Chile. However, the inhabitants are very proud of their origins and proudly represent their traditions.
Since 1995, the island has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site to protect its exceptional heritage.
What to see and do on Easter Island
The village of Hanga Roa, the starting point for exploring the island. The village offers a wide selection of hotels, restaurants, souvenir shops, and more.
The Ahu Akivi site, a ceremonial platform with seven moai facing the sea.
The Ahu Tahai site, an archaeological site composed of three series of platforms with several statues.
The Ahu Tongariki site, the most important on the island, with 15 giant statues, some of which are decorated with petroglyphs.
The Rano Kau volcano, 1,600 meters wide and 200 meters deep, contains a lake.
The Rano Raraku site, a quarry used to extract moai. There are 397 unfinished statues that were abandoned in this quarry.
The Orongo ceremonial center, where the largest concentration of petroglyphs is found.
The Puna Pao quarry, a huge site where the Moai headdresses were carved from red stone.
Culture & Events Info
The Tapati Festival is considered the largest cultural event that has been celebrating indigenous customs and traditions since 1975, with local music, dance, and sports. During the first two weeks of February, the people of Easter Island dress in their traditional costumes, giving them the opportunity to reconnect with their traditions and origins.