Rapa Nui
Explore Rapa Nui, also known as Easter Island. Learn about the spiritual tradition woven throughout the land, sea, sky, and people of this sacred island.
About the exhibit
This story is part of the Sacred Places exhibit at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, where you’ll get a glimpse into dozens of faith communities around the world. Visit the exhibit's website to learn more about Rapa Nui or to explore other sites.
A Lone Moai (2022-10) by The Children's Museum of Indianapolis and CyArkChildren's Museum of Indianapolis
What is this place?
Rapa Nui was settled by Polynesian explorers about 1000 years ago, and their descendants live there today. The island is known for its large stone figures called moai.
Moai at Rano Raraku (2022-10) by The Children's Museum of Indianapolis and CyArkChildren's Museum of Indianapolis
How were moai made?
The figures were carved from volcanic rock by ancient Rapa Nui craftsmen and created to represent the island’s family clans by embodying their kings when they passed away.
Where is this place?
Rapa Nui is a small island in the Pacific Ocean. It is a special territory of Chile. To the people of Rapa Nui, the island is the center of the world.
World Map Highlighting Rapa Nui (2023-07) by The Children's Museum of IndianapolisChildren's Museum of Indianapolis
Is Rapa Nui near Chile? Why is it also called Easter Island?
Its location is highly remote, nearly 1200 miles from its nearest inhabited neighbor and over 2000 miles from the closest point on mainland Chile. The island experienced little contact with the outside world until European ships visited on Easter in 1722.
Merahi Atam and Children (2022-10) by The Children's Museum of Indianapolis and CyArkChildren's Museum of Indianapolis
What makes this a sacred place?
According to Rapa Nui spirituality, the moai are infused with an energy and life-force called mana. This spiritual energy flows through all things on the island including the land, the sea, the sky, and the people.
Mana Ma'ohi Dancers in Front of Moai (2022-10) by The Children's Museum of Indianapolis and CyArkChildren's Museum of Indianapolis
Who do the moai represent?
The moai represent important kings and prominent ancestors of the Indigenous islanders. Modern-day Rapa Nui people, decedents of these honored ancestors, still interact with the moai today.
Pablo Hereveri (2022-10) by The Children's Museum of Indianapolis and CyArkChildren's Museum of Indianapolis
What is an example of what people do at this place?
Skilled work is considered to channel spiritual energy known as mana. Craftsmen continue to make moai statues today using skills that are passed down through generations, combining ancient techniques with modern tools.
Modern Stone Moai (2022-10) by Pablo HereveriChildren's Museum of Indianapolis
How are the moai used that are made today?
Some residents of Rapa Nui keep small moai in their homes and interact with them on a daily basis. These acts serve to strengthen the connection to the mana of their ancestors.
What spiritual ceremonies do people participate in?
Dancers in the community preserve Rapa Nui culture. They perform to ríu, which are songs that capture hundreds of years of Rapa Nui history, knowledge, and tradition. They wear garments made from materials found on the island, which help the dancers better pass on mana.
Thank you to Merahi Atam and family, Gustavo Borquez Paoa, Tomás Pedro Tuki Tepano and family, Hotu Iti Araki and the Mana Ma'ohi Cultural Group, Pablo Hereveri, Hana Paoa Huki and family, Haumoana Hey Araki, Cristian Moreno Pakarati, Mario Amarhiro Tuki Villanueva, and CyArk.
Sacred Places is made possible by Lilly Endowment Inc.
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