Heiata Tiki, Marae Arahurahu, Paea, Tahiti, Society

Stone Heiata tiki sculpture, a female form with wide necklace, at Marae Arahurahu, a sacred temple platform made from stones and unu or carved wooden stele, in Paea, on the island of Tahiti, in the Windward Islands, Society Islands, French Polynesia. The 2 tikis here are copies of statues from Ra'ivavae, known as Moana and Heiata, the originals being in the gardens of the Gauguin Museum in Papeari. The marae was formerly called Tu-Matamata-Hia, and was the site of a legendary battle between the heroes of the kings Tu-Mata-ira and Tutu-Ai-Aro, when Tu-Mata-ira was defeated and his spear divided into 4 pieces, which were burned along with his body by Tutu-Ai-Aro. The marae has been fully renovated by the Department of Culture and Heritage and is run as a museum. Arahurahu is used for the reenactment of old Polynesian ceremonies during the July Heiva Nui celebrations. Picture by Manuel Cohen

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Arahurahu Archipel Collectivite Collectivity Doutre-mer Francaise Iles Marae Oceania Paea Paepae Polynesia Polynesian Polynesie Raivavae Renovated Republique Societe Tahiti Tahitian Tahua Tiki Totaiete Tu-mata-ira Tu-matamata-hia Tutu-ai-aro Vent Windward

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