Tiki statue, Museum of Tahiti and the Islands

Carved wooden tiki stela, 173cm tall, from Hohoi, on Ua Pou, Marquesas Islands, the only one found on the island, in the Musee de Tahiti et des Iles, or Te Fare Manaha, at Punaauia, on the island of Tahiti, in the Windward Islands, Society Islands, French Polynesia. This tiki differs from others in that it is more in proportion, with gaps between the arms and torso, hands on the stomach and small male genitals. This tiki formed part of the facade of the funerary building where the dead were displayed on the paepae or sacred platform at Hakaohoka. Tikis are protective statues representing Ti'i, a half-human half-god ancestor who is believed to be the first man. The Museum of Tahiti and the Islands was opened in 1974 and displays collections of nature and anthropology, habitations and artefacts, social and religious life and the history of French Polynesia. Picture by Manuel Cohen

Restrictions Only for Ireland and United Kingdom and United States Of America

Ancestor Archipel Collectivite Collectivity Doutre-mer Fare Francaise Funerary Guardian Iles Manaha Marquesas Oceania Polynesia Polynesian Polynesie Punaauia Republique Societe Stela Stele Tahiti Tahitian Tiki Totaiete Vent Windward

Features In These Collections

> Contributors > COH