manuel cohen

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

Stone carved female tiki sculpture in grey keetu or volcanic tuff, with finely carved features - a tattooed and pierced right ear, Mata-related motifs on the face, tattooed lips, a crescent moon diadem, and a hand resting under the chin, 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 part of a facade 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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Filename: LC17_POLYNESIA_MC_031.jpg
Image Size: 7087x4724 / 14.8MB; www.manuelcohen.com; ancestor archaeological archaeology archeological archeology carved collectivite d'outre-mer de la Republique francaise color colour COM day exterior female French Polynesia French territory heritage history Hiva Hoa Hiva Oa Hiva-Oa horizontal Iipona image island keetu Marquesan Marquesan civilisation Marquesas Islands Marquesian Marquesian civilisation Marquises Mata meae morning Oceania outdoors outside overseas collectivity Pacific island Pacific Ocean Polynesia Polynesie Polynesie Francaise pre-European civilisation protection Puamau religion religious sanctuary sculpture site statue stone Te Fiifii ti'i tiki volcanic tuff
Contained in galleries: Polynesia, Oceania

Stone carved female tiki sculpture in grey keetu or volcanic tuff, with finely carved features - a tattooed and pierced right ear, Mata-related motifs on the face, tattooed lips, a crescent moon diadem, and a hand resting under the chin, 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 part of a facade 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