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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