manuel cohen

Marae Arahurahu, Paea, Tahiti, Society Islands, French Polynesia

Marae Arahurahu, a sacred temple platform made from stones with unu, or carved wooden stele, and sacred trees, in Paea, on the island of Tahiti, in the Windward Islands, Society Islands, French Polynesia. At the far end is the ahu or altar and the tahua or courtyard is surrounded by a patu or wall. 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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Filename: LC17_POLYNESIA_MC_304.jpg
Image Size: 7087x4698 / 15.9MB; www.manuelcohen.com; ahu altar archaeological archaeology archeological archeology Archipel de la Societe ceremonial collectivite d'outre-mer de la Republique francaise color colour COM courtyard day Department of Culture and Heritage exterior French Polynesia French territory horizontal Iles de la Societe Iles du Vent image island marae Marae Arahurahu morning mountain Oceania outdoors outside overseas collectivity Pacific island Pacific Ocean Paea paepae palm tree patu platform Polynesia Polynesian Triangle Polynesie Polynesie Francaise religion religious renovated sacred sacred tree site Society Islands stela stele stone Tahiti Tahitian tahua temple Totaiete ma Tu-Mata-ira Tu-Matamata-Hia Tutu-Ai-Aro unu Windward Islands
Contained in galleries: Polynesia, Oceania

Marae Arahurahu, a sacred temple platform made from stones with unu, or carved wooden stele, and sacred trees, in Paea, on the island of Tahiti, in the Windward Islands, Society Islands, French Polynesia. At the far end is the ahu or altar and the tahua or courtyard is surrounded by a patu or wall. 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