Tiki, Te Fiifii, Hiva Oa, Marquesas Islands, French

Stone carved tiki sculpture in grey keetu or volcanic tuff, with blunt facial features, wearing a crown and with hands on either side of the belly, at Te Fiifii, a religious sanctuary or meae, built by the pre-European Marquesian civilisation, 80m South West of the Iipona archaeological site, near the village of Puamau, on the island of Hiva Oa, in the Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia. This tiki is thought to have originally been on the North side of the paepae or platform. Tiki sculptures are usually carved in wood or stone and represent Ti'i, a half-human half-god ancestor who is believed to be the first man. Tiki often have a huge head, symbolising power, and big eyes symbolising knowledge. Tiki are respected and are often placed outside houses as protective statues. Picture by Manuel Cohen

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Ancestor Collectivite Collectivity Doutre-mer Francaise Hiva Hiva-oa Iipona Keetu Marquesan Marquesas Marquesian Marquises Meae Oceania Paepae Polynesia Polynesie Pre-european Puamau Republique Sanctuary Tiki Tuff Volcanic

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