Moai Tangata Manu Bird Man Carved Wood Statue

Description: This stunning Moai Tangata Manu Bird Man carved wood statue stands at 55cm (21.4 inches) tall and is an original piece made by the Easter Island people. The statue is crafted from wood and features intricate details that showcase the unique culture of Southeast Asia, including authentic shark vertebrae eyes. The statue's brown color adds to its authenticity and makes it a standout piece in any collection. The Tangata Manu, or "bird-man", is a story about a traditional competition and ritual on Easter Island (Rapa Nui): The competition Young men competed to be the first to collect a sooty tern (manu tara) egg from Motu Nui, swim back to Rapa Nui, and climb the cliffs of Rano Kau to Orongo. The winner was named the Tangata Manu and became the chief for the year. The Birdman The Tangata Manu was considered the chosen one of the gods, an intermediary between humans and the divine. He was expected to rule with wisdom and compassion, and his word was law. The Birdman's life The Tangata Manu lived in seclusion for a year in a ceremonial house, where he was considered sacred. He was expected to eat and sleep, and not bathe or cut his hair or nails. He served as an oracle to visitors who brought him food. The Birdman's legacy The Tangata Manu's achievements were commemorated with petroglyphs carved into the rocks by his clan chief. These petroglyphs can still be seen today. The Tangata Manu's spirit is said to revive on the island each spring when the seabirds return to nest. The Birdman cult The Birdman cult was a reinterpretation of the cult of the ancestors. It was a way to create peace and stop the island from going extinct. However, it also meant a loss of tribal independence and the tribal way of life. Christian missionaries suppressed the Birdman cult in the 1860s.

Price: 450 USD

Location: Kansas City, Missouri

End Time: 2025-02-14T23:30:11.000Z

Shipping Cost: N/A USD