Why did people build the Moai?

Moai statues were built to honor chieftain or other important people who had passed away. They were placed on rectangular stone platforms called ahu, which are tombs for the people that the statues represented.

How were the Moai placed and why?

It was placed upright, as the history suggested, “standing” on the ground. Three groups of ropes were tied on the groove of the eye socket of the replica, and volunteers cooperated to pull and made the Moai twist.

Why were the Moai placed around the island?

Researchers have discovered that the moai statues were delibrately placed close to freshwater lakes, which were scarce on the island. They believe that the Rapa Nui people placed the statues in specific spots to indicate that fresh water was nearby, as well as to assert territorial control over certain bodies of water.

What do the Moai statues represent?

What do the Moai represent? It’s thought that the Moai were symbols of religious and political power and leadership. Carvings and sculptures in the Polynesian world often have strong spiritual meanings, and followers often believe a carving had magical or spiritual powers of the person or deity depicted.

How were the moai moved?

Even specialized priests were known to move moai at the request of those who wanted them on their family land or ahu. Method: Tied statue on its back to a sledge (sled) made from a tree fork. 180 islanders pulled the statue using two parallel ropes tied to each side.

Why is the moai important?

Only in Rapa Nui did the creation of statues – the moai – reach such a scale and magnificence. The ahu and moai are sacred to the people of Rapa Nui today, a source of mana – power and spiritual energy, and also tapu – sacred with implied prohibition.

Is there tourism on Easter Island?

(CNN) — Easter Island has long been a bucket list destination for travelers from around the world. But the very thing that keeps the island’s economy going strong may be the thing that ultimately causes its ruin: mass tourism. The native Rapa Nui people call their island Hanga Roa.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4U5Y7MSAJc