manuel cohen

Tiki Fau Poe, Iipona, Hiva Oa, Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia

Tiki Fau Poe, stone female tiki, 1.8m tall, in keetu or red volcanic tuff, in an unusual seated position with its legs stretched out in a position typical of women when they work in the fields, possibly representing Fau Poe, the wife of Takaii, a warrior chief, at the Iipona archaeological site, near the village of Puamau, on the island of Hiva Oa, in the Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia. 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. The Iipona site was a religious sanctuary or meae, built by the pre-European Marquesian civilisation, arranged over 2 large terraces with 5 monumental tikis. Picture by Manuel Cohen

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Filename: LC17_POLYNESIA_MC_035.jpg
Image Size: 4779x7087 / 10.0MB; www.manuelcohen.com; ancestor archaeological archaeology archeological archeology carved collectivite d'outre-mer de la Republique francaise color colour COM day exterior Fau Poe female French Polynesia French territory heritage history Hiva Hoa Hiva Oa Hiva-Oa Iipona image island keetu Marquesan Marquesan civilisation Marquesas Islands Marquesian Marquesian civilisation Marquises meae morning Oceania outdoors outside overseas collectivity Pacific island Pacific Ocean Polynesia Polynesie Polynesie Francaise pre-European civilisation protection Puamau religion religious sanctuary sculpture seated site statue stone Takaii ti'i tiki vertical volcanic tuff wife
Contained in galleries: Polynesia, Oceania

Tiki Fau Poe, stone female tiki, 1.8m tall, in keetu or red volcanic tuff, in an unusual seated position with its legs stretched out in a position typical of women when they work in the fields, possibly representing Fau Poe, the wife of Takaii, a warrior chief, at the Iipona archaeological site, near the village of Puamau, on the island of Hiva Oa, in the Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia. 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. The Iipona site was a religious sanctuary or meae, built by the pre-European Marquesian civilisation, arranged over 2 large terraces with 5 monumental tikis. Picture by Manuel Cohen