The Birdman Legend
In springtime, members of the tribes of Easter Island gathered at the Orongo ceremonial village to worship the god Makemake, perform dances and hold the 'birdman competition'. At a certain time in the ceremony a signal was given and the chosen men would climb down the sea cliff some 150metres, straight down and then swim supported by tiny reed rafts to Motu Nui islet. There they waited for the arrival of the sooty tern bird or the grey backed tern.
The crucial moment came when the first egg laid by a tern was collected. The lucky owner would then swim back to shore, the egg secured in a small basket dangling from his neck. He would then climb up the cliff to be appointed the new Birdman, or 'Tangata Manu' and start his one year term as the voice of the god Makemake. He settled at Rano Raraku where he lived in total isolation issuing the commands of the god.
Information and photographs from http://www.crystalinks.com/easter.html Should there be any objection to our using them in this purely educational and non-profit making context, please make contact and the site will be modified immediately.
