Accueil > Français > Sites historiques, archéologiques et légendaires. > Les sites archéologiques de ‘Ōpūnohu à Mo’orea > ARCHEOLOGICAL SITES OF ’ŌPŪNOHU, MO’OREA > ARCHEOLOGICAL SITES OF ’ŌPŪNOHU, MO’OREA
ARCHEOLOGICAL SITES OF ’ŌPŪNOHU, MO’OREA
’ŌPŪNOHU VALLEY, A MAJOR CULTURAL SITE
’ŌPŪNOHU VALLEY, A MAJOR CULTURAL SITE
’Ōpūnohu is a vast, fertile and luxuriant expanse of land lying in the collapsed crater of the former volcano. In this exceptional natural setting today are many interesting areas : ancient remains, lands for agriculture, stock-breeding, aquaculture, (...)
THE MARAE OF THE LAND TI’I-RUA
THE MARAE OF THE LAND TI’I-RUA
Erected on the land Ti’i-rua (“double divinity”), the marae is oriented towards the summit Mou’a Roa (“high mountain”).
Marae history
The archaeological excavations by R.C. Green show that men lived in this place way before the construction of the marae : many (...)
AHU-Ō-MĀHINE
Ahu-ō-Māhine
This marae, which was built on ancient remains, is said to date back to the
XVIIth century.
Since the original name of the marae has been lost, the one of its last owner,
Māhine, was given : Ahu ō Māhine (Māhine’s altar).
A unique marae in the valley
This is a typical coastal marae (...)
THE MARAE OF THE LAND FARE-’AITO
THE MARAE OF THE LAND FARE-’AITO
The marae, located on the land Fare-’aito (house of warriors), is one of the best
preserved marae in the valley.
According to oral tradition, it was built after the victory of the ari’i of Ha’apiti (the
Mārama), over those of ’Ōpūnohu (the ’Āti-ro’o), in the (...)
ARCHERY PLATFORMS
ARCHERY PLATFORMS
The Heiva te’a (archery game)
It was reserved for the male elite of ari’i (chiefs), ’aito (warriors) and ra’atira (land
owners).
The related sacred rituals explain the necessary presence of a marae nearby.
Vāhi te’a (shooting area)
The aim was to shoot further than 240 m, in (...)
SIMPLE MARAE AND COUNCIL PLATFORMS
SIMPLE MARAE
Elementary structures...
Archaeologist Emory is the first to notice these small marae, which he names “shrine”.These structures are the most numerous on Tahiti and Mo’orea (more than one hundred have been listed in the ’Ōpūnohu valley).
They probably are the oldest form of marae, (...)
BIRDS, TREES AND MARAE
BIRDS, TREES AND MARAE
When the god Ta’aroa created the earth, he shook the feathers covering him, to dress the earth with trees, vines, weeds…
In ancestral society, feathers from the creator were a major symbol of fertility and abundance, they gave rise to the first plants of the earth. (...)
CHANT OF PRAISE OF THE MARAE
CHANT OF PRAISE OF THE MARAE
The marae open air sanctuaries embodies spirituality and magnificence of an island.
They were the noble heart of the noble men of the islands.
The marae was the splendour of an island, a heavenly world offered to the gods.
Nobody dared to step foot on someone (...)
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