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Monuments in Tahiti, Bora Bora

Monuments

The marae of Arahurahu (Tahiti Nui)The Marae are former places of worship. The best preserved are now carefully maintained. © Vivianne Riviere

Tahiti and Bora Bora have kept some beautiful archaeological remains, especially the ancestral places of worship called 'maraes.' A family marae was dedicated to one god or goddess only, whose favours were sought through offerings. A community marae, social symbol for the members of a tribe, was the setting of great ceremonies dedicated to one major god. The maraes consist of a sacred esplanade ('tapu'), sometimes surrounded by a dry-stone wall, the access to which was strictly reserved for priests and chiefs. On this terrace stood a large altar ('ahu') used for standing the idols upon it (in Tahiti it is in the shape of a levelled pyramid), some ?resting stones' and a stone for the offerings. Outside the walls, stood small, simple buildings ('fare'), one of which used to deposit the bodies of important locals, whereas another sheltered the pirogue of a god.