Rapa Nui mythology

The Rapa Nui mythology, also known as Pascuense mythology or Easter Island mythology, is the name given to the myths, legends and beliefs (before being converted to Christianity) of the native Rapanui people of the island of Rapa Nui (Easter Island), located in the south eastern Pacific Ocean, almost four thousand kilometers from continental Chile.

General description

The Rapa Nui have a mythology more differentiated, with respect to other Polynesian mythologies, due to the island's isolation from other Polynesian islands. The Rapa Nui present a particular cultural identity, based on very singular and local explanations on the creation of humanity and the Island of Rapa Nui. Like so much island cultures, the mythology of the island of Rapa Nui has a substantial marine component.

Myths of Rapa Nui

• Make-make (god)
• Hotu Matu'a
• Tangata manu
• Hanau Epe

References

• Robert D. Craig. Dictionary of Polynesian mythology. Greenwood Publishing Group, 1989 ISBN 0313258902, 9780313258909

• Peggy Mann. Easter Island: land of mysteries. Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1976. ISBN 0030140560, 9780030140563

This page uses content from the English Wikipedia. The original article was at Rapa Nui mythology. The list of authors can be seen in the page history.